n  Scgfc 


BS  2507  .L43  1907 
Leacock,  Arthur  Gordner,  b 

1868. 
Studies  in  the  life  of  St. 


THE    LIFE    OF    ST.  PAUL 


Studies  in  the  Life  of 


St.  Paul 


BY 


ARTHUR    GORDNER    LEACOCK 


"  But  the  Lord  said  .  .  .  .  he  is  a  chosen  vessel  unto  me,  to 
bear  my  name  before  the  Gentiles,  and  kings,  and  the  children 
of  Israel."  — Acts  ix,  15 


NEW   YORK 
YOUNG    MEN'S    CHRISTIAN    ASSOCIATION    PRESS 

1907 


Copyright,  1906,  by 

THE    INTERNATIONAL    COMMITTEE    OF 
YOUNG    MEN'S    CHRISTIAN    ASSOCIATIONS 


To  My 
FATHER    AND    MOTHER 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 

Chronological  Outline  b       .       .       *       .:       h      xi 

Directions  and  Suggestions      .»**««»       xiii 


PART  I 

Introduction  :    The  World  and  the  Man 
study 

I  The  World  in  St.  Paul's  Time 3 

II  The  Birth  and  Education  of  St.  Paul    ....  to 

PART  II 
The  Beginnings  of  the  Christian  Church 

III  The  Christian  Church :  The  Descent  of  the  Holy  Spirit       19 

IV  The  Christian  Church  :    First  Miracles  and  First  Trials      26 

V  The  Christian  Church :    The  First  Martyr  .      33 

PART  III 
Paul  the  Persecutor  Converted 

VI  Paul    Persecutes    the    Church:     The    Church    Spreads 

beyond  Judea .43 

VII  The  Conversion  of  Paul        ....as  5° 

VIII  The  Gospel  is  Extended  to  the  Gentiles        ...      57 


viii  Contents 


PART  IV 


Paul's  First  Missionary  Journey 
study  page 

IX  Missions  in  Cyprus,  Perga,  and  Pisidian  Antioch     .         .       67 

X  Missions  in  Iconium,  Derbe,  and  Lystra:     The  Return 

to  Antioch  in  Syria 74 

XI  A   Crisis :     Must  Gentile  Christians   Keep   the   Mosaic 

Law? 81 


PART  V 
Paul's  Second  Missionary  Journey 

XII  From  Antioch    to    Philippi gr 

XIII  From  Philippi  to  Athens        ..,..„  98 

XIV  From  Athens  to  Antioch »     105 

PART  VI 
Paul's  Third  Missionary  Journey 

XV  From  Antioch  to   Ephesus »     115 

XVI  From  Ephesus  to  Corinth 122 

XVII  Paul's  Last  Journey  to  Jerusalem  ,     129 

PART  VII 
Paul's  Arrest  at  Jerusalem  and  Voyage  to  Rome 

XVIII  Paul's  Arrest  at  Jerusalem 139 

XIX  Paul  Appears  before  Felix,  Festus,  and  Agrippa :     He 

Appeals  to  Caesar 146 

XX  Paul  is  Sent  to  Rome:    His  Voyage  and  Shipwreck        .     153 


Contents 


PART  VIII 

Paul's  Imprisonment  and  Death  at  Rome 
study  page 

XXI  Two  Years  in  Prison  at  Rome 163 

XXII  Paul's  Last  Travels,  Second  Imprisonment,  and  Death     170 

PART  IX 
The  Personality  and  Service  of  St.  Paul 

XXIII  Personal  Characteristics  of  St.  Paul        ....     179 

XXIV  Paul's  Services  to  the  World 186 


Chronological    Outline 

Note:  The  chronology  of  Paul's  life  is  extremely  difficult  and 
uncertain.  The  dates  given  in  this  outline  are  substantially  those 
found  in  Conybeare  and  How  son's  Life  and  Epistles  of  St.  Paul. 

A.    D. 

3  Birth  of  St.  Paul  at  Tarsus  in  Cilicia. 

16-26  Paul  studies  with  Gamaliel  at  Jerusalem. 

26  Returns  to  Tarsus. 

27-30  Public  ministry  of  Jesus. 

3°~35  Growth  of  the  Christian  Church ;  the  Day  of  Pentecost ;  First 
Miracles  and  First  Trials. 

35  Paul  comes  to  Jerusalem;  the  martyrdom  of  Stephen. 
35-36  Paul  persecutes  the  Church. 

36  Conversion  of  Paul. 

36-38     Paul  goes  from  Damascus  into  Arabia  for  retirement  (three 

years,  Judaically  reckoned). 
38  Paul  flees  from  Damascus  to  Jerusalem,  and  thence  to  Tarsus. 

38-43     Paul  at  Tarsus. 

44  Barnabas  brings  Paul  to  Antioch  to  labor  among  the  Gentile 

converts. 

45  Paul   and   Barnabas   visit  Jerusalem   to   carry   relief  to   the 

Christians  in  time  of  famine. 

46-47     Paul  at  Antioch. 

48-49  First  Missionary  Journey  :  Paul  and  Barnabas  visit  Cyprus, 
Perga,  Antioch  in  Pisidia,  Iconium,  Lystra,  and  Derbe, 
then  return  to  Antioch  in  Syria. 

50  Paul  and  Barnabas  attend  the  "Council  of  Jerusalem,"  to  con- 

sider the  relation  of  Gentile  converts  to  the  Law  of  Moses. 

51-54  Second  Missionary  Journey:  Paul  starts  from  Antioch,  and 
visits  Cilicia,  Galatia,  and  Troas  in  Asia  Minor.  Crossing 
into  Europe,  he  goes  to  Philippi,  Thessalonica,  Bercea,  Ath- 
ens and  Corinth.  At  Corinth  Paul  writes  First  Thessaloni- 
ans  (52  a.d.  ?)  and  Second  Thessalonians  (53  a.d.  ?).  Leav- 
ing Corinth,  Paul  goes  by  way  of  Jerusalem  to  Antioch, 
where  he  writes  the  Epistle  to  the  Galatians. 

xi 


xii  Chronological  Outline 


54-58  Third  Missionary  Journey:  Paul  leaves  Antioch  and  goes 
to  Ephesus,  where  he  remains  three  years.  Paul  writes 
First  Corinthians  (57  a.d.  ?)  and  then  goes  into  Macedonia. 
In  Macedonia  he  writes  Second  Corinthians,  and  journeys 
on  to  Corinth,  where  he  writes  Romans  (58  a.d.?).  Leav- 
ing Corinth,  he  goes  by  way  of  Philippi  and  Miletus  to 
Jerusalem,  where  he  is  arrested  and  sent  to  Caesarea. 

58-59  Paul  in  prison  in  Caesarea.  Has  hearings  before  Felix,  Fes- 
tus,  and  Agrippa;  he  appeals  to  Caesar. 

60  Festus  sends  Paul  to  Rome ;  Paul  is  shipwrecked  at  Malta. 

61-63  Paul  arrives  at  Rome.  While  in  prison  he  writes  Philippians, 
Colossians,  Philemon,  and  Ephesians. 

63  Paul  is  released  from  prison. 

63-65  Paul  visits  Macedonia,  Asia  Minor,  Crete,  and  possibly  Spain. 
He  writes  First  Timothy  and  Titus. 

65  Arrest  of  Paul,  probably  at  Nicopolis ;  is  taken  to  Rome  and 

imprisoned ;  he  writes  Second  Timothy. 

65  Paul  is  beheaded  by  Nero. 


Directions   and   Suggestions 

i.  These  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  consist  of  daily  lessons, 
covering  a  period  of  twenty-four  weeks,  a  page  for  each  day. 

2.  Be  regular  and  systematic  in  your  study.  Do  one  lesson  each 
day.  Do  not  fall  behind,  and  then  try  to  cover  several  lessons  at 
one  sitting. 

3.  Set  aside  the  best  ten  or  fifteen  minutes  of  each  day  for  your 
study,  choosing  a  time  when  your  mind  will  be  fresh,  and  when  you 
will  not  be  interrupted. 

4.  Always  begin  and  close  with  prayer.  Ask  that  you  may  have 
eyes  to  see,  a  heart  to  heed,  and  a  will  to  obey  the  Truth. 

5.  Keep  a  note-book.  In  the  earlier  lessons  frequent  note-book 
directions  are  inserted.  Later  they  are  gradually  dropped.  Form 
the  habit  of  recording  all  impressions  and  questions  that  come  to 
your  mind. 

6.  The  data  for  the  life  of  St.  Paul  are  derived  from  two  sources : 
Luke  in  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles  gives  the  leading  events  in  the 
outer  life  of  Paul ;  the  inner  life  must  be  sought  in  the  Epistles  of 
St.  Paul. 

7.  Because  the  life  of  Paul  must  be  pieced  together  from  Acts 
and  from  the  Epistles,  it  is  not  always  easy  to  follow  or  to  remem- 
ber the  narrative.  Whenever  you  lose  your  grasp  upon  the  order  of 
events,  turn  back  and  reread  the  introductory  paragraphs  of  the  les- 
sons last  studied.  The  introductory  paragraphs  of  the  several  lessons, 
when  read  consecutively,  form  a  continuous  narrative.  Refer  also, 
when  necessary,  to  the  chronological  outline,  page  ix. 

8.  Loosely  inserted  in  this  book  is  an  outline  map  of  the  Pauline 
world.  This  map  you  are  to  use,  beginning  with  Study  VI,  marking 
upon  it  with  red  ink  or  pencil  the  places  in  which  the  gospel  is 
preached  by  the  apostles. 

9.  All  important  variations  between  the  Authorized  Version 
(A.V.)  and  the  Revised  Version  (R.V.)  are  noted  in  these  Studies. 
You  should  have  a  copy  of  the  Revised  New  Testament,  preferably 
the  American  revision. 

10.  Three  books  on  the  life  and  writings  of  St.  Paul  are  especially 
useful :  Conybeare  and  Howson's  Life  and  Epistles  of  St.  Paul,  New 
York,  is  the  monumental  work  on  Paul.  It  is  particularly  valuable 
for  its  descriptions  of  the  countries  and  cities  visited  by  Paul — their 

xiii 


xiv  Directions  and  Suggestions 

manners  and  customs,  religious  antiquities,  government,  etc. ;  it  con- 
tains also  an  original  translation  of  the  speeches  and  letters  of  the 
Apostle.  Canon  Farrar's  Life  and  Work  of  St.  Paul  is  rich,  imag- 
inative, and  rhetorical ;  it  is  valuable  chiefly  for  its  vivid  presentation 
of  important  scenes  in  the  life  of  Paul,  and  for  its  clear  analysis  of 
his  writings.  The  Rev.  James  Stalker's  Life  of  St.  Paul  is  an  inex- 
pensive little  manual  that  should  be  in  the  hands  of  every  student 
of  Paul;  it  is  brief,  clear,  and  concise;  it  traces  the  growth  of  Paul's 
gospel,  and  reveals  the  mind  and  heart  of  the  great  Apostle  to  the 
Gentiles. 


PART  I 
Introduction  :   The  World  and  the  Man 

Study   I. — The  World  in  St.  Paul's  Time 
Study  II. — The  Birth  and  Education  of  St.  Paul 


I:i  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  3 

Study  I.— C&e  WzxXH  in  St.  tyml't  Ctme 
First  Day  :    The  Three  World- Nations 

In  the  time  of  St.  Paul  (3-65  a.d.)  there  were  three  nations  of 
world-wide  influence — the  Romans,  the  Greeks,  and  the  Jews.  The 
Romans  ruled  the  world :  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the 
Roman  Empire  their  power  was  felt  and  feared;  the  Greeks  led  the 
world  in  intellectual  matters,  such  as  language,  literature,  science, 
and  art :  Greek  at  this  time  was  well-nigh  a  universal  language ; 
the  Jews  were  distinguished  for  religion :  they  worshipped  the  one 
true  God,  and  had  the  sacred  books  of  the  Old  Testament;  scat- 
tered throughout  all  lands,  they  established  synagogues,  and  carried 
on  everywhere  the  worship  of  Jehovah. 

In  view  of  the  spread  and  influence  of  these  three  nations,  St.  Paul 
had  ideal  qualifications  as  a  world-missionary:  he  was  a  Roman 
citizen;  he  spoke  and  wrote  Greek;  and  he  was  by  birth  a  Jew  of 
purest  Hebrew  stock. 

1.  Write  in  your  note-book  the  names  of  the  three  world-nations 

of  St.  Paul's  time,  and  state  in  your  own  words  the  part  each 
was  playing  in  the  life  of  the  age. 

2.  What  was  St.  Paul's  relation  to  each  of  these  world-nations? 

3.  Copy  in  your  note-book  John  19,  verses  19  and  20. 

4.  Why  was  the  inscription  on  the  cross  written  in  Hebrew,  Latin, 

and  Greek? 

Prayer:  "Direct  us,  O  Lord,  in  all  our  doings  with  Thy  most 
gracious  favor,  and  further  us  with  Thy  continual  help,  that  in  all 
cur  works,  begun,  continued,  and  ended  in  Thee,  we  may  glorify 
Thy  holy  Name,  and  finally,  by  Thy  mercy,  obtain  everlasting  life; 
through  Christ  our  Lord."    Amen. 


4  Studies   in   the  Life   of  St.   Paul  j:2 

Study  I.— Cljc  Woxiti  in  ftt  \)mVa  Cime 
Second  Day:  The  Romans 

In  the  time  of  St.  Paul  the  Romans  ruled  the  world.  All  of  the 
countries  bordering  on  the  Mediterranean,  and  many  other  coun- 
tries inland,  were  included  in  the  Roman  Empire.  Spain,  Gaul  (now 
France),  Italy,  Macedonia  and  Greece,  Asia  Minor,  Syria,  Palestine, 
Egypt,  and  the  parts  of  Africa  west  of  Egypt  were  the  most  im- 
portant portions  of  the  Empire. 

The  Romans  were  great  organizers  and  great  builders ;  they  had 
peculiar  skill  in  governing  both  themselves  and  other  peoples ;  they 
extended  their  laws  and  political  institutions  among  the  various 
nations  which  they  conquered ;  they  built  excellent  roads  to  connect 
all  parts  of  their  vast  Empire.  Wherever  a  Roman  citizen  went 
throughout  the  Roman  world,  he  was  entitled  to  the  fullest  possible 
protection.  In  particular  three  privileges  of  the  Roman  citizen 
deserve  attention : 

1.  The  right  of  trial  by  Roman  courts. 

2.  Freedom  from  scourging,  crucifixion,  and  other  degrading  pun- 

ishments. 

3.  The  right  of  appeal  to  the  Roman  Emperor. 

St.  Paul  was  a  Roman  citizen.  In  Acts  22:28  he  says  proudly 
that  he  is  a  Roman  citizen  by  birth.  This  indicates  that  Paul's 
father,  though  a  Jew,  was  likewise  a  Roman  citizen.  How  Paul's 
father  obtained  his  Roman  citizenship  is  not  known.  Possibly  he 
had  rendered  some  important  service  to  the  government,  in  return 
for  which  he  was  made  a  citizen. 

1.  Read  Acts  22 122-29.     Roman  citizenship  might  be   obtained   in 

several  ways.     What  two  ways  are  mentioned  in  the  passage 
just  read? 

2.  Why  was  the  chief  captain  afraid? 

Thought  for  to-day:  The  Roman  Empire  helped  the  spread  of 
Christianity:  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  were  under  one  rule;  the 
great  military  roads  were  useful  to  the  Christian  missionaries  in 
their  travels  from  country  to  country;  Roman  citizenship  protected 
certain  of  the  early  Christian  preachers.  As  you  study  history,  try 
to  see  the  hand  of  God  ordering  and  arranging  all  things. 


1:3  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  5 

Study  L— We  Waxlti  in  §bu  flattl's  STime 
Third  Day:.   The  Greeks 

In  the  time  of  St.  Paul  the  Greeks  led  the  world  in  all  intel- 
lectual matters.  They  had  an  exquisite  language,  capable  of  ex- 
pressing the  most  delicate  shades  of  meaning.  Before  350  B.C.  the 
Greeks  had  produced  a  rich  and  extensive  literature,  had  made 
profound  investigations  in  philosophy,  had  laid  the  foundations  of 
the  sciences,  and  had  produced  matchless  works  of  art. 

After  350  B.C.  Alexander  the  Great  conquered  the  greater  part  of 
the  known  world.  He  planted  Greek  cities  throughout  his  Empire 
and  spread  the  Greek  language  and  civilization  over  the  lands  of 
the  Mediterranean.  After  the  death  of  Alexander  in  323  B.C.,  his 
successors  continued  his  policy  of  making  the  world  a  Greek  world. 
So  thoroughly  was  this  work  done  that  long  after  the  Empire  of 
Alexander  had  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Romans  it  kept  its 
Greek  character. 

In  St.  Paul's  time  Greek  was  well-nigh  a  universal  language.  It 
was  spoken  in  Northern  Africa  and  Egypt,  in  Palestine,  Syria,  Asia 
Minor,  Macedonia  and  Greece.  In  Rome  it  was  read  and  spoken 
by  educated  Romans  and  by  thousands  of  foreigners  and  slaves. 
In  Southern  Gaul  and  even  in  Spain  there  were  cities  in  which  Greek 
was  spoken.  In  Palestine  the  Jews  spoke  Aramaic,  a  language 
closely  related  to  Hebrew,  yet  Greek  was  understood  generally 
throughout  the  land ;  most  of  the  Jews  living  outside  of  Palestine 
spoke  Greek.  As  early  as  250  B.C.  the  Hebrew  Old  Testament  was 
translated  into  Greek,  and  this  Greek  version,  called  the  Septuagint 
(because  made  by  seventy  rabbis),  soon  became  the  popular  Bible 
of  Greek-speaking  Jews. 

1.  What  was  the  leading  characteristic  of  the  Greeks?     See  1  Cor. 

1:22  (latter  part  of  the  verse)  and  Acts  17:21. 

2.  St.  Paul  spoke  Greek.    All  of  his  writings  are  in  Greek. 

3.  The  entire  New  Testament  was  written  in  Greek  by  nine  different 

men,  most,  if  not  all,  of  whom  were  Jews.     Why  did  they  use 

Greek  instead  of  Aramaic? 
Prayer:     "Lord,  take  my  lips  and  speak  through  them;  take  my 
mind   and   think  through  it;   take   my   heart  and   set   it   on   fire." 
Amen. 


Studies  in   the  Life  of  St.  Paul  1.4 


Study  I.— CEIje  Woxtii  in  frt  JJaul'fi  Cime 

Fourth  Day  :     The  Jews 

The  third  nation  of  world-wide  extent  was  the  Jewish  nation. 
Strabo,  a  geographer  of  the  time  of  Christ,  says  "it  is  hard  to  find 
a  place  in  the  habitable  earth  that  hath  not  admitted  this  tribe  of 
men,  and  is  not  possessed  by  it."  Jews  were  to  be  found  every- 
where throughout  the  Roman  Empire.  This  wide  dispersion  of  the 
Jews  was  due  to  several  causes.  The  armies  of  Assyria,  Babylonia, 
Syria,  Egypt,  and  Rome,  had  invaded  Palestine  and  had  carried 
off  thousands  of  Jews;  thousands  of  Jews  also  had  gone  into  foreign 
lands  to  engage  in  trade  and  commerce. 

The  Jews  were  noted  for  religion ;  they  worshipped  the  one  true 
God,  and  they  had  the  sacred  books  of  the  Old  Testament  which 
contained  a  record  of  God's  dealing  with  man  from  the  creation 
of  the  world.  Wherever  the  Jews  went,  they  carried  their  sacred 
books  with  them   and  established  synagogues. 

The  Jews  of  the  Dispersion — that  is,  those  living  in  foreign  lands — 
were  more  liberal  than  those  living  in  Palestine.  They  had  been 
broadened  by  contact  with  the  cultivated  Greek  world.  Hebrew, 
the  language  of  the  Old  Testament,  was  a  dead  language  at  this 
time.  The  Jews  of  Palestine  spoke  Aramaic,  a  dialect  related  to 
Hebrew,  though  very  many  of  them  also  understood  Greek.  On 
the  other  hand,  the  Jews  of  the  Dispersion  spoke  Greek,  and  used 
the  Septuagint  or  Greek  version  of  the  Old  Testament.  The  Jews 
of  the  Dispersion,  therefore,  were  specially  qualified  to  teach  the 
religion  of  the  Old  Testament  to  the  Gentile  world. 

1.  Read  Acts  2:5-11.    From  these  verses  make  a  list  of  the  countries 

inhabited  by  Jews,  and  notice  that  this  list  includes  the  most 
important  parts  of  the   Roman  Empire. 

2.  Read  Acts  15:21.     What  evidence  does  this  verse  furnish? 
Thought  for  to-day:     The  dispersion  of  the  Jews  prepared  the 

way  for  the  Christian  Church.  The  simple  religious  rites  of  the 
Jews  attracted  to  the  synagogues  many  Gentiles  who  were  not  sat- 
isfied with  the  idolatrous  ceremonies  of  the  pagan  temples.  The 
Greek  version  of  the  Old  Testament  could  be  read  by  Greeks  and 
by  cultivated  Romans.  The  early  Christian  missionaries  were  Jews, 
and  as  they  traveled  on  their  preaching  tours  they  went  first  to 
the  synagogues  of  their  brethren,  the  Jews.  They  were  thus  able 
to  reach  not  only  Jews,  but  also  such  Gentiles  as  were  favorably 
disposed  toward  the  worship  of  God. 


I:j  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  7 

Study  I—  €&e  WoxYQ  in  §ht.  JJatti's;  Cime 
Fifth  Day:     The  Jews   (Continued) 

The  Jews,  as  was  learned  from  the  lesson  of  yesterday,  were  scat- 
tered all  over  the  world.  Their  chief  characteristic  was  religion. 
The  subject  of  to-day's  lesson,  therefore,  will  be  a  brief  study  of  the 
religious  history  of  the  Jews. 

The  world,  soon  after  creation,  became  wicked.  God  therefore 
determined  to  train  up  a  people  in  morals  and  religion.  For  this 
end  He  chose  Abraham,  and  promised  him  that  his  children  should 
become  a  mighty  nation.  To  Abraham  and  his  children  God  re- 
vealed Himself  in  a  peculiarly  intimate  manner.  The  descendants 
of  Abraham  became  in  time  the  great  Jewish  nation.  Moses,  under 
the  inspiration  of  God,  gave  them  laws  both  for  their  civil  and  for 
their  religious  life. 

The  Jewish  nation  occupied  Palestine.  They  were  proud  of  the 
favor  shown  them  as  the  chosen  people  of  God,  and  were  filled  with 
contempt  for  their  heathen  neighbors.  Nevertheless,  they  were  not 
faithful  to  God.  They  were  warned  by  the  prophets  and  were  pun- 
ished by  attacks  of  foreign  armies.  Finally,  in  722  B.C.,  ten  tribes 
were  carried  off  by  the  Assyrians  and  disappeared  from  history. 
About  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  years  later  the  remaining  tribes 
were  carried  away  by  the  Babylonians.  In  536  B.C.  Cyrus  the  Great 
allowed  them  to  return  to  Palestine. 

After  their  return  from  captivity  the  Jews  became  more  narrow 
and  exclusive  than  they  had  been  before.  In  the  days  of  Jesus  the 
religious  life  of  the  nation  was  at  a  low  ebb.  In  the  eyes  of  a  Jew 
the  all-important  thing  was  to  keep  the  Law  of  Moses  and  the  oral 
law  based  upon  it.  Jesus  sharply  rebuked  the  religious  leaders  of 
the  Jews,  the  scribes  and  Pharisees,  for  neglecting  works  of  mercy 
and  justice,  and  for  devoting  themselves  to  idle  discussion  and  to 
the  observance  of  petty  and  childish  rules. 

1    Read  Jesus'  denunciation  of  the  scribes    and    Pharisees,   Matt. 

23 :  13-33- 
2.  Are  there  any  men  to-day  who  show  the  spirit  of  the  scribes  and 
Pharisees  ? 


8  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paid  1:6 


Study  I.— CI)e  Wovlti  in  §*.  flanl**  Ctmr 
Sixth  Day:     The  Morals  of  the  Ancient  World 

Although  the  Romans  were  the  political  rulers  of  the  world,  and 
the  Greeks  were  the  leaders  of  the  world  in  intellectual  culture,  and 
although  the  Jews  were  the  guardians  of  the  worship  of  Jehovah, 
yet  each  of  these  world  peoples  was  marred  by  incredible  defects  or 
weakened  by  vice  and  crime. 

The  Romans  were  avaricious  and  cruel.  They  delighted  in  coarse 
pleasures,  such  as  wild-beast  fights  and  the  combats  of  gladiators. 
In  early  times  the  Romans  lived  simply  and  frugally,  but  with  the 
growth  of  the  Empire  and  the  increase  of  wealth,  they  gave  them- 
selves up  to  luxury,  dissipation,  and  sensuality. 

The  Greeks  had  sought  their  highest  good  in  the  study  of  philoso- 
phy; they  tried  by  means  of  logical  proof  to  establish  the  doctrine 
of  the  immortality  of  the  soul ;  they  sought  also  by  their  studies  in 
philosophy  to  work  out  a  system  of  rules  to  govern  moral  conduct. 
Yet  these  efforts,  for  the  most  part,  were  unsuccessful.  Many  philo- 
sophical sects  arose,  and  sober  discussion  degenerated  into  senseless 
wrangling  over  words  and  phrases.  Meanwhile  the  moral  character 
of  the  people  as  a  whole  deteriorated.  The  Greeks  were  too  often 
fickle  and  licentious,  and  many  times  they  misapplied  their  intel- 
lectual arts  to  make  vice  attractive. 

The  Jews  were  proud  and  exclusive;  they  cared  more  for  the 
observance  of  the  Mosaic  law  than  for  mercy  and  justice.  They, 
too,  like  the  Greeks  and  the  Romans,  were  often  guilty  of  vice  and 
crime. 

St.  Paul,  in  one  of  his  letters,  gives  an  awful  picture  of  the  wick- 
edness of  his  time: 

1.  The  wickedness  of  the  Greek  and  Roman  world.   Romans  1 128-32, 

2.  The  wickedness  of  the  Jews.     Romans  2:17-24. 

3.  Read  Paul's  catalogue  of  evils  in  Galatians  5:19-21. 

Prayer:  "We  pray  Thee  to  compassionate  our  weakness,  O  Lord, 
to  guard  us  in  peril,  to  direct  us  in  doubt,  and  to  save  us  from  falling 
into  sin.  From  the  evil  that  is  around  and  within  us,  graciously 
deliver  us.  Make  the  path  of  duty  plain  before  us,  and  keep  us  in 
it  even  unto  the  end."    Amen. 


1:7  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  9 

Study  I.— Cfce  WnxXa  in  §bt  flattl's  &imt 

Seventh  Day:     The  Coming  of  Christianity 

The  world  was  in  need  of  a  Saviour.  Men  were  weary  of  their 
sins,  and  could  find  no  permanent  relief  in  philosophy  or  in  the 
systems  of  morality  that  had  been  devised.  Gradually  the  conviction 
arose  that  the  thing  most  satisfactory  to  God  was  good  conduct. 
Men  felt,  too,  that  they  must  have  an  ideal  life  to  follow. 

The  Jews  were  waiting  for  the  coming  of  the  Messiah.  For  cen- 
turies the  Jewish  prophets  had  foretold  that  the  Messiah  should  be 
born  in  the  city  of  David,  and  that  he  "should  save  his  people 
from  their  sins."  Also  among  the  Gentiles  at  this  time  there  was  a 
widespread  belief  that  a  deliverer  should  appear  who  would  free 
the  world  from  its  sin  and  wretchedness. 

Into  this  needy  and  expectant  world  Jesus  Christ  came.  He  was 
born  in  Bethlehem  of  Judea  in  5  B.C.  His  public  ministry  occupied 
the  years  27-30  a.d.,  but  was  confined  almost  wholly  to  Palestine. 
After  His  death,  in  30  a.d.,  there  was  need  that  someone  should 
publish  His  teachings  to  the  world.  At  this  juncture  Paul  came 
forward.  Paul  organized  the  scattered  teachings  of  Jesus  into  a 
system  of  religious  thought,  and  then  preached  Jesus  and  His 
plan  of  salvation  throughout  the  civilized  world. 

Review  of  the  week's  work : 

1.  What  were  the  three  world-nations  of  St.  Paul's  time? 

2.  What  was  the  leading  characteristic  of  each? 

3.  How  did  each  help  in  the  spread  of  the  Gospel? 

4.  What  was  the  moral  condition  of  the  ancient  world? 

5.  When  and  where  did  Christianity  arise? 

6.  What  was  the  relation  of  St.  Paul's  work  to  that  of  Jesus? 


io  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  ii:i 


Study  II. — ©Ijc  -fttrti)  anto  (Education  of  Bt  JJaul 
First  Day:    The  Date  of  St.  Paul's  Birth 

The  exact  date  of  St.  Paul's  birth  is  not  known.  From  two  verses 
in  the  New  Testament,  however,  it  is  possible  to  determine  approxi- 
mately the  year  in  which  he  was  born.  In  the  first  of  these  two 
verses  he  is  called  "a  young  man" ;  in  the  second  he  speaks  of  himself 
as  "Paul  the  aged."    These  verses  will  be  the  subject  of  study  to-day. 

PAUL  THE  YOUNG  MAN 

I.  Read  Acts  7:58. 

1.  Copy  this  verse  in  your  note-book,  substituting  for  the  first 

"him"  the  word  "Stephen." 

2.  Stephen  was  stoned  in  35  a.d. 

3.  Therefore  St.  Paul  (or  Saul,  as  he  is  called  here)  was  a  young 

man  in  35  a.d. 

4.  The  term  "young  man"  is  one  whose  limits  are  not  clearly 

defined.     In  general  it  may  be  said  that  a  young  man  is  one 
whose  age  falls  between  twenty-one  and  thirty-five. 

PAUL   THE   AGED 

II.  Read  Philemon,  verse  9. 

1.  Copy  this  verse  in  your  note-book. 

2.  The  Epistle  to  Philemon  was  written  in  63  a.d. 

3.  Therefore  St.  Paul  was  an  "aged"  or  old  man  in  63  a.d. 

4.  The  term  "aged"  is  also  one  of  considerable  latitude.     Some 

men  grow  old  prematurely  and  may  be  regarded  as  old  men 
before  their  fiftieth  year.     Others  may  not  seem  old  until 
after  their  seventieth  year. 
The  date  of  St.   Paul's  birth  must  be  so  fixed  that  he  may  be 
regarded  as  a  young  man  in  35  a.d.,  and  as  an  aged  man  in  63  a.d. 
The  year  3  a.d.  has  been  chosen  as  a  date  which  meets  these  require- 
ments.   If  St.  Paul  was  born  in  3  a.d.,  he  was  thirty-two  years  old 
in  35  a.d.  and  sixty  years  old  in  63  a.d.     This  date  is  also  rendered 
highly  probable  by  reasons  which  are  stated  in  certain  lessons  which 
follow. 

Prayer:  "O  Lord,  give  me  the  grace  of  Thy  Spirit,  early  to  seek 
out,  and  evermore  earnestly  to  follow  the  work  which  Thou  hast 
appointed  for  me  to  do."    Amen. 


11:2  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  n 

Study  II.— <£()e  33ttt&  anU  ©fcttcattoa  of  St  JJatti 

Second  Day:     St.  Paul's  Birthplace 

St.  Paul  himself  twice  gives  in  the  New  Testament  the  name  of 
his  native  city. 
i.  Read  Acts  22:3. 

2.  Tarsus,  the  capital  of  Cilicia,  was  situated  on  the  Cydnus  River, 

twelve  miles  from  the  sea.  It  was  a  free  city,  and  possessed 
certain  important  rights  and  privileges;  it  was  also  a  great 
center  of  education,  ranking  along  with  Athens  and  Alexandria, 
Strabo  says  that  the  men  of  Tarsus  were  so  zealous  in  the  study 
of  philosophy  that  they  surpassed  all  other  men  in  the  study 
of  that  subject.  Though  the  city  had  been  Hellenized  under 
the  successors  of  Alexander,  yet  it  was,  after  all,  a  place  in 
which  the  Greek  and  the  Oriental  worlds  met  and  blended;  it 
was  a  Roman  city  after  94  B.C.,  yet  its  inhabitants  were  free — 
that  is,  largely  self-governing;  the  men  of  Tarsus  did  not 
possess  Roman  citizenship  except  by  special  grant.  Large  num- 
bers of  Jews  were  to  be  found  in  the  city,  attracted  thither 
by  the  many  opportunities  for  trade  and  commerce. 

3.  Read  Acts  21 139.     Why  does  Paul  in  this  verse  say  that  he  is  a 

citizen  "of  no  mean  city." 

4.  How  were  each  of  the  three  world-nations  represented  in  Tarsus  ? 

5.  St.  Paul  was  the  first  great  missionary  to  the  Greek  and  Roman 

world.  How  did  the  influences  of  Tarsus  fit  him  specially 
for  this  work? 

St.  Paul  was  a  city-bred  man.  Most  of  his  work  was  done  in 
large  towns  and  cities.  Jerusalem,  Damascus,  Antioch,  Tarsus, 
Ephesus,  Thessalonica,  Corinth,  and  Rome  were  the  centers  of  his 
greatest  activity. 

"The  words  of  Jesus  are  redolent  of  the  country  and  teem  with 
pictures  of  still  beauty  or  homely  toil — the  lilies  of  the  field,  the 
sheep  following  the  shepherd,  the  sower  in  the  furrow,  the  fishermen 
drawing  their  nets.  But  the  language  of  Paul  is  impregnated  with 
the  atmosphere  of  the  city  and  alive  with  the  tramp  and  hurry  of 
the  streets.  His  imagery  is  borrowed  from  scenes  of  human  energy 
and  monuments  of  cultivated  life — the  soldier  in  full  armor,  the 
athlete  in  the  arena,  the  building  of  houses  and  temples,  the  tri- 
umphal procession  of  the  victorious  general." — Stalker. 


12  Studies   in   the  Life   of  St.   Paul  U-.t, 


Study  II.— Cbe  33trtb  anti  education  of  ftt  JJauI 
Third  Day:     St.   Paul's  Parents 

The  names  of  St.  Paul's  parents  are  not  known.     He  was  born, 
however,  in  a  typical  Jewish  home  of  the  better  sort,  and  was  trained 
in  all  the  traditions  held  sacred  by  pious  Hebrew  parents.     St.  Paul 
more  than  once  boasts  of  his  pure  Jewish  blood, 
i.  St.  Paul's  pure  Jewish  blood:  2  Cor.  11:22. 

2.  His  tribe:  Philippians  3:5. 

3.  His  father  was  a  Roman  citizen.     Acts  22 127  and  28. 

4.  In  Galatians  1:15  Paul  alludes,  though  only  incidentally,  to  his 

mother. 

5.  Paul  had  a  married  sister  living  in  Jerusalem.     Acts  23:16. 

6.  In  Romans  16,  verses  7,  11,  and  21,  Paul  sends  greeting  to  certain 

men  whom  he  designates  as  "kinsmen."     These  men  may  have 

been  either  distant  relatives  or  else  members  of  his  own  tribe, 

the  tribe  of  Benjamin. 

Paul's   Two   Names  :     Owing   to   contact   with   the   Greek   and 

Roman   world   many  Jews  assumed,   in   addition   to   their    Hebrew 

names,    a   Greek  or   a   Roman    name.      For   example,   the   Aramaic 

Hebrew  name  of  Peter  was  Cephas  (rock)  ;  the  name  Peter  is  Greek 

(Petros),   and   also   means   rock.     Peter  earlier  bore   the   Hebrew 

name  Symeon,  while  his  corresponding  Greek  name,  adopted  from 

similarity  of  sound,  was  Simon.    In  the  book  of  Acts,  Paul  is  called 

Saul  until   Chapter   13:9;   after  that  point  the  name  Paul   is  used 

exclusively.     The  name  Saul  is  a   Hebrew   word,   meaning  "asked 

of  God";  the  name  Paul  is  Roman  (Paulus),  and  means  "little." 


11:4  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  13 

Study  II.— €%e  33irt&  an*  education  of  St.  flattl 

Fourth   Day  :     Home  Life  and  Training 

Jewish  children  were  carefully  trained  in  the  history  and  traditions 
of  their  nation.  They  learned  the  laws  of  Moses,  and  were  taught 
the  story  of  God's  constant  and  loving  care  for  the  Jewish  people. 

1.  Moses  himself  laid  down  rules  for  the  education  of  children.  Read 

Deuteronomy  6 :^-g. 

2.  This  teaching  is  re-echoed  in  the  Psalms.     See  Ps.  78:5-7. 

3.  Much  of  this  instruction  was  given  by  the  Jewish  mother.     From 

2  Timothy  3:15  and  1:5  try  to  picture  to  yourself  the  home  of 
the  youthful  Timothy.  Timothy's  father,  however,  was  a  Greek, 
while  Paul's  father  was  a  Jew.  Otherwise  their  homes  were 
similar. 

4.  Paul's  father  was  a  Pharisee.     See  Acts  23 :6.     What  were  the 

beliefs  and  practices  of  the  Pharisees? 

5.  As  Paul  at  his  mother's  knee  heard  the  Old  Testament  stories 

of  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob,  of  David  and  the  prophets,  his 

heart  must   have   been  fired   with  love   for  the   chosen   people 

and  with  zeal  for  the  worship  of  Jehovah.     He  would  also  have 

a  feeling  of  pity,  if  not  of  contempt,  for  his  Gentile  playmates 

in  the  city  of  Tarsus. 

Two  languages  were  probably  spoken  in  St.  Paul's  home — Aramaic 

and  Greek.     Persons  so  intensely  Hebrew  as  Paul's  parents  would 

be  likely  to  speak  Aramaic  Hebrew  in  the  seclusion  of  the  family 

circle.     At  the  same  time  Paul  seems  to  have  been  familiar  with 

Greek  from  his  boyhood.     The  style  of  his  speeches  and  letters  is 

not  that  of  a  man  who  had  learned  Greek  late  in  life.     Greek  was 

the  language  of  Tarsus.     Even  if  Paul  did  not  hear  it  at  home,  he 

would  naturally  learn  it  from  his  playmates  in  the  city. 

Lesson  Thought:  Paul's  training  at  home  was  a  careful  study 
of  the  Old  Testament  scriptures.  What  does  Paul  himself  say  of 
the  value  of  Bible  study?    Read  Second  Timothy  3  :i6  and  17. 


T4  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  11:5 

Study  II.— CI)e  33trt&  ano  (EUttcation  of  &t.  ftaul 
Fifth  Day:     School  Life.     Learns  a  Trade 

Concerning  Paul's  school-days  in  Tarsus  nothing  is  said  in  the 
New  Testament  either  by  Luke  in  the  book  of  Acts  or  by  Paul  him- 
self in  his  own  Epistles.  It  is  likely,  however,  that  he  attended  some 
school  in  Tarsus,  probably  a  synagogue  school,  where  he  learned 
to  read  and  write  Hebrew,  the  language  of  the  Old  Testament. 

It  is  known  that  Paul  learned  a  trade.  All  Jewish  boys  at  this 
time  learned  trades.  One  of  the  older  Rabbis  said,  "He  that  teacheth 
not  his  son  a  trade  does  the  same  as  if  he  taught  him  to  be  a  thief." 
Another  Rabbi  said,  "He  that  hath  a  trade  in  his  hand,  to  what  is 
he  like?    He  is  like  a  vineyard  that  is  fenced." 

1.  What  was  St.  Paul's  trade?    See  Acts  18:3. 

2.  At  Tarsus  a  rough  cloth  called  ciliciiim  was  manufactured  from 

goat's  hair.    From  this  tents  were  made.    Possibly  Paul's  father 
was  a  dealer  in  such  tents. 

3.  While  laboring  as  a  missionary,  Paul  worked  at  his  trade  so  as 

not  to  be  dependent  on  his  converts  for  support : 

(a)  At  Thessalonica :   1  Thess.  2:9. 

(b)  At  Corinth:  Acts  18:3. 

(c)  At  Ephesus :  Acts  20:34. 

Thought  for  To-day:  "We  commanded  you  that  if  any  would 
not  work,  neither  should  he  eat.  For  we  hear  that  there  are  some 
which  walk  among  you  disorderly,  working  not  at  all,  but  are  busy- 
bodies.  Now  them  that  are  such  we  command  and  exhort  by  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  that  with  quietness  they  work  and  eat  their  own 
bread."  St.  Paul,  Second  Thessalonians  3:10-12.  By  precept  and 
by  example  Paul  stood  for  the  dignity  of  labor.  Are  you  ashamed 
to  work,  and  do  you  long  for  a  life  of  ease,  or  do  you  intend  to  labor 
and  do  your  part  of  the  world's  work?  Are  you  willing  also,  like 
Faul,  to  make  your  life  a  life  of  service  for  others? 


11:6  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  15 

Study  II.— (E&e  33irt|)  anU  education  of  §>t  JJatti 
Sixth  Day:     Paul  Studies  at  Jerusalem 

A  Jewish  boy  who  was  to  become  a  Rabbi  usually  began  to  study 
under  a  Rabbi,  or  "doctor  of  the  law,"  at  the  age  of  thirteen.  So  it 
may  be  assumed  that  Paul  went  to  Jerusalem  at  that  age. 

1.  In  what  year  did  Paul  go  to  Jerusalem  to  study  in  a  Rabbinical 

school  ? 

2.  What  was  the  name  of  Paul's  teacher?    Acts  22:3. 

3.  For  a  glimpse  of  Gamaliel,  see  Acts  5  :34~40. 

4.  Jewish  teachers  had  a  high  seat,  while  their  pupils  sat  on  the  floor 

below  them.    Does  Paul  anywhere  allude  to  this  custom  in  any 
passage  that  you  have  read? 

5.  Paul  was  probably  at  Jerusalem  under  Gamaliel  for  at  least  ten 

years. 

6.  What  was  Paul  taught  at  Jerusalem?    Acts  22:3. 

The  chief  subject  of  instruction  in  the  Rabbinical  schools  was  the 
Mosaic  law  and  its  interpretation.  The  Mosaic  law  is  contained  in 
the  first  five  books  of  the  Old  Testament.  In  the  course  of  centuries 
there  had  grown  up  around  the  laws  of  Moses  a  mass  of  decisions 
and  interpretations,  called  the  oral  law,  which  in  compass  exceeded 
the  original  laws  on  which  they  were  based.  Many  of  these  rules 
were  senseless  and  ridiculous.  Jewish  students  memorized  the  law 
and  its  interpretation.  In  the  schools  they  spent  their  time  in  asking 
questions,  raising  objections,  and  making  fine  distinctions.  While 
the  subjects  under  discussion  were  often  unworthy,  yet  such  training 
produced  keenness  of  mind  and  readiness  in  debate. 

Thought  for  To-day  :  Paul  was  a  Pharisee  and  the  son  of  a 
Pharisee.  He  desired  the  approval  of  God,  and  sought  to  obtain  that 
approval  by  scrupulously  keeping  the  law  of  Moses.  He  tried  to 
be  righteous  by  rule.  Are  you  trying  to  be  righteous  merely  by 
obeying  the  rules  of  morality,  or  have  you  learned,  as  Paul  was  soon 
to  learn,  that  righteousness — that  is,  being  right  with  God — is  ob- 
tained by  faith  in  Him? 


16  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  117 

Study  II.— CTbc  ^3trtb  an*  eoucatton  of  ftt  JpllI 
Seventh  Day  :     Paul  Returns  to  Tarsus 

It  is  not  known  exactly  how  long  Paul  studied  at  Jerusalem,  nor 
when  he  returned  to  Tarsus.  The  public  ministry  of  Jesus  occupied 
the  years  27  to  30  a.d.  Inasmuch  as  Paul  seems  not  to  have  seen 
or  heard  Jesus,  it  has  been  assumed  that  Paul  left  Jerusalem  shortly 
before  27  a.d.,  and  that  he  went  to  his  native  city,  Tarsus. 

The  course  of  events  may  be  summarized  as  follows :  Paul  was 
born  in  3  a.d.  Until  the  age  of  thirteen  he  lived  at  Tarsus,  learning 
to  read  and  write  Hebrew  and  Greek,  and  picking  up  the  simple 
trade  of  tent-making.  In  16  a.d.  he  went  to  Jerusalem,  where  he 
studied  under  Gamaliel  for  about  ten  years.  In  26  a.d.  he  returned 
to  Tarsus. 

For  the  next  ten  years  Paul  remained  at  Tarsus.  What  he  was 
doing  during  this  long  sojourn  can  be  only  a  matter  of  conjecture. 
He  may  have  taught  as  a  Rabbi  in  a  synagogue  school  of  the  city; 
he  may  have  worked  at  his  trade ;  he  must  surely  have  been  influ- 
enced by  the  life  and  thought  of  the  cultivated  Greek  city  of  Tarsus ; 
he  may  have  attended  lectures  at  the  university,  and  may  have  taken 
part  in  the  philosophical  discussions  that  were  carried  on  about  him. 

Paul  shows  in  his  writings  and  speeches  some  familiarity  with 
Greek  literature,  for  he  quotes  from  the  Cretan  poet  Epimenides 
in  Titus  1:12,  from  Aratus  or  Callimachus  in  Acts  17:28,  and  from 
Menander  in  1  Corinthians  15 133.  Read  these  passages,  and  enter 
them  in  your  note-book. 

Thought  for  To-day  :  Paul's  education  in  the  schools  was  now 
complete.  His  training  under  Gamaliel  at  Jerusalem  had  prepared 
him  for  work  among  the  Jews.  His  knowledge  of  Greek  and  his 
familiarity  with  Greek  life  and  thought  had  fitted  him  for  preaching 
among  the  Greeks.  His  Roman  citizenship  gave  him  a  dignified 
position  in  the  world,  and  afforded  him  protection  as  he  moved 
about  the  Roman  Empire.  But  Paul  was  still  an  exclusive 
Pharisee,  and  was  still  ignorant  of  God's  plan  that  he 
should  become  a  missionary  to  the  despised  Gentile  nations.  Have 
you  ever  thought  that  your  plans  for  your  own  life  may  not  be  God's 
plans?  May  not  your  greatest  success  and  happiness  come  when  you 
seek  to  know  His  will  concerning  you? 


PART   II 

The  Beginnings  of  the  Christian  Church 

Study  III. — The  Christian  Church:  The  Descent  of  the  Holy 

Spirit 
Study  IV. — The   Christian   Church:     First  Miracles   and  First 

Trials 
Study    V. — The  Christian  Church:  The  First  Martyr 


Ill  :i  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  19 

1 

Study  III.— We  C&rustian  Clmtcf) :  C&e  descent  of 

t&e  |>olp  Spirit 
First  Day:     The  Promise  of  the  Holy  Spirit 

As  was  stated  in  the  last  lesson,  Paul  probably  left  Jerusalem  in 
26  a.d.,  and  went  back  to  Tarsus,  where  he  remained  for  about  ten 
years.  He  does  not  again  appear  in  Jerusalem  until  shortly  before 
the  death  of  the  martyr  Stephen,  in  35  a.d. 

While  Paul  was  at  Tarsus  an  event  of  the  profoundest  importance 
took  place  in  Palestine.  Jesus  Christ  went  about  the  land  preaching 
the  Gospel  of  the  Kingdom  of  God.  His  short  but  eventful  public 
ministry  occupied  the  years  27  to  30  a.d.  Just  before  His  ascension, 
in  30  a.d.,  Christ  called  together  His  disciples,  and  promised  them 
that  they  should  receive  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  should 
preach  the  Gospel  to  the  whole  world. 

The  story  of  the  spread  of  the  Gospel  and  the  growth  of  the 
Christian  Church  is  told  by  Luke  in  the  book  of  Acts.  This  narra- 
tive will  now  be  the  subject  of  study,  inasmuch  as  when  Paul  next 
appears  in  sacred  history  he  comes  forward  to  engage  in  the  perse- 
cution of  the  Christian  Church — the  church  he  was  destined  later 
to  extend  over  the  whole  world. 

1.  Read  Acts  1 11-5. 

2.  What  "former  treatise"  did  the  author  of  Acts  write? 

3.  How  large  was  the  Christian  Church  at  the  time  of  Christ's  ascen- 

sion?   For  evidence  on  this  point  read  1  Corinthians  15:3-7. 

4.  Do  you  suppose  that  the  disciples  understood  what  was  meant 

by  the  "baptism  of  the  Holy  Spirit"   (or  Holy  Ghost)  ? 

5.  Do  you  understand  what  the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Spirit  is? 
Prayer:     "O  God,  forasmuch  as  our  strength  is  in  Thee,  merci- 
fully grant  that  Thy  Holy  Spirit  may  in  all  things  direct  and  rule 
our  hearts,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord."    Amen. 


20  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  111:2 

Study  111.— &\>*  Cljiictian  Cburcl) :  CI)c  H^csccnt  of 
tbe  |)olp  ^pint 
Second  Day:    The  Promise  of  the  Holy  Spirit  (Con- 
tinued) 

On  the  day  of  His  ascension  Christ  again  promised  His  disciples 
the  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  telling  them  that  they  should  receive 
power,  and  should  be  His  witnesses  "unto  the  uttermost  part  of  the 
earth."  After  the  ascension  of  Christ  the  disciples  gathered  together 
at  Jerusalem  and  prayed  for  the  promised  gift. 

1.  Read  Acts   i  :6-i4. 

2.  Judging  from  verse  6,  what  thought  seems  uppermost  in  the  minds 

of  the  disciples? 

3.  What  two  important  statements  are  contained  in  verse  8? 

4.  Notice  the  successive  steps  by  which  the  apostles  are  to  extend 

the  Gospel  throughout  the  world  (verse  8,  latter  part).  First 
they  are  to  preach  in  Jerusalem,  then  in  the  surrounding  district 
of  Judea,  next  in  the  partly  Jewish  region  of  Samaria,  and  last 
of  all  in  the  Gentile  world.  This  last  stage,  the  extension  of  the 
Gospel  among  the  Gentiles,  was  destined  to  be  St.  Paul's  work. 

5.  For  what  do  you  think  the  apostles  and  women   were  praying 

(verse  14) ? 

''Come,  Holy  Spirit,  heavenly  Dove, 
With  all  Thy  quickening  powers; 
Kindle  a  flame  of  sacred  love 
In  these  cold  hearts  of  ours. 

"See  how  we  grovel  here  below, 
Fond  of  these  earthly  toys; 
Our  souls,  how  heavily  they  go 
To  reach  eternal  joys. 

"Come,  Holy  Spirit,  heavenly  Dove, 
With  all  Thy  quickening  powers ; 
Come,  shed  abroad  a  Saviour's  love, 
And  that  shall  kindle  ours." 

1 — Isaac    Watts, 


111:3  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  21 

Study  III. (ZT^e  C&rtettan  Cljurcl) :  C&e  ^Descent  af 

ii)t  (>olp  Spirit 
Third  Day  :    The  Election  of  an  Apostle  to  Fill  the 

Place  of  Judas 

While    waiting   for   the   coming   of   the   Holy    Spirit   the   eleven 
apostles  chose  a  successor  to  Judas  Iscariot. 

1.  Read  Acts  1 115-26. 

2.  In  the  Authorized  Version,  verse  18  is  rendered,  "Now  this  man 

purchased  a  field,"  etc.,  while  the  Revised  Version  renders  it, 
"Now  this  man  obtained  a  field,"  etc.  Neither  translation  is 
correct.  The  Greek  original  means  "this  man  caused  a  field 
to  be  bought."  Judas,  as  narrated  in  Matt.  27:3-8,  was  stung 
with  remorse,  and  brought  back  the  thirty  pieces  of  silver  to  the 
chief  priests  and  elders.  They  in  turn  got  rid  of  the  money 
by  buying  the  potter's  field.  Judas  was  indirectly  the  cause  of 
the  purchase  of  the  field. 

3.  "Aceldama"    (verse   19)    is  an  Aramaic  word.     Luke  is  writing 

for  Gentile  readers,  and  therefore  translates  the  word  into 
Greek. 

4.  Verify  the  two  quotations  from  the  Old  Testament  in  verse  20. 

They  are  taken  from  Psalm  69 125  and  Psalm  109 :8,  respectively. 

5.  To  be  an  apostle,  what  qualifications  were  necessary?     See  verses 

21  and  22. 

6.  St.  Paul  did  not  see  or  hear  Jesus  during  His  ministry  on  earth. 

Therefore  the  enemies  of  Paul  maintained  that  he  was  not  a 
true  apostle,   inasmuch   as   he   had   not   "companied"   with  the 
disciples  while  Jesus  was  with  them. 
Prayer:     "O  Heavenly  Father,  the  Author  and  Fountain  of  all 
truth,  the  bottomless   Sea  of  all  understanding,   send,   we  beseech 
Thee,  Thy  Holy  Spirit  into  our  hearts  and  lighten  our  understand- 
ings with  the  beams  of  Thy  heavenly  grace.    We  ask  this,  O  merciful 
Father,  for  Thy  dear  Son,  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ's  sake."   Amen. 


22  Studies  in   the   Life  of  St.   Paul  TIT  :4 


Study  III.— Cbc  Christian  Cbnrcb:  ftbc  descent  of 
t\)t  Ibolp  Spirit 
Fourth  Day  :     The  Day  of  Pentlcost 

When    the   Jewish    festival    called    the    Pentecost    had    come,    the 
disciples  were  all  assembled  together  in  one  place.     Suddenly  the 
Holy   Spirit  descended  upon  them,  and  they  began   to   speak   with 
foreign  tongues. 
i.  Read  Acts  2:1-13. 

2.  The  word  "Pentecost"  is  a  Greek  word,  meaning  "fiftieth."    The 

day  of  Pentecost  was  the  fiftieth  day  after  the  Passover,  and 
was  the  second  great  festival  of  the  Jews.  It  was  a  harvest 
festival,  and  was  celebrated  at  the  close  of  the  grain  harvest 
about  the  first  of  May. 

3.  How  many  days  have  elapsed  since  the  ascension  of  Christ? 

4.  What  do  you  suppose  were  the  thoughts  of  the  disciples  during 

the  period  between  the  Ascension  and  Pentecost? 

5.  This  gift  of  tongues  (verses  4-8)  was  not  of  permanent  duration. 

The  disciples  were  not  miraculously  enabled  to  speak  foreign 
languages  throughout  the  rest  of  their  lives.  Inasmuch  as 
Greek  was  already  a  world  language,  there  was  no  need  of  a 
gift  of  tongues  for  missionary  purposes.  The  gift  of  tongues 
was  an  extraordinary  phenomenon,  designed  apparently  to  ar- 
rest the  attention  of  Jews  of  all  nations  residing  in  Jerusalem. 

6.  Observe  from  what  far-away  regions  the  Jews  of  verses  5-1*  had 

come.     It  is  possible  that  later  many  of  them  made  known  in 

their  native  cities  the  story  of  the  wonderful  scene  they  had 

witnessed  at  Jerusalem. 

Thought  for  To-day:     "They  were  all  with  one  accord  in  one 

place."     The  great  blessings  of  Pentecost  came  upon  the  disciples 

when   they   were   gathered   together    earnestly    seeking   in    common 

the  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit.    Read  Matthew  18:19  and  20. 


111:5  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  23 

Study  III.— We  Christian  eijttrcl) :  We  Vtmnt  of 

tjje  IMp  Spirit 

Fifth  Day:     Peter's  Sermon  at  Pentecost 

As  soon  as  the  report  of  the  descent  of  the  Holy  Spirit  and  the 
gift  of  tongues  had  spread  through  the  city,  a  multitude  gathered 
about  the  apostles.  In  order  to  account  for  the  strange  events  of 
the  day,  Peter  then  preached  a  sermon  to  the  throng.  He  explained 
to  them  that  the  coming  of  the  Holy  Spirit  was  the  fulfilment  of 
prophecy.    He  also  charged  them  with  having  killed  the  Messiah. 

1.  Read  Peter's  sermon,  Acts  2:14-36,  noting  especially  the  character 

of  his  argument. 

2.  The  Old  Testament  prophets  foretold  the  coming  of  the  Messiah 

and  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  With  these  prophecies  all  Jews 
were  familiar.  The  early  Christian  preachers,  therefore,  endeav- 
ored to  convince  the  Jews  that  the  life  and  death  of  Jesus  ful- 
filled in  every  particular  the  prophecies  of  the  Old  Testament, 
and  that  consequently  He  was  the  promised  Messiah. 

3.  Observe  the  three  forms  of  address  used  by  Peter :     (a)   local, 

"Ye  men  of  Judea,"  (b)  national,  "Ye  men  of  Israel,"  and  (c) 
personal,  "Brethren." 

4.  Explanatory  notes  and  references : 

(a)  Verse  15  :    The  third  hour  of  the  day  was  9  a.m. 

(b)  Verses   17-21 :    This  quotation  is  from  Joel  2 :28-32,  and  is 

taken,  not  from  the  Hebrew  Old  Testament,  but  from  the 
Septuagint.    What  was  the  Septuagint? 

(c)  Verses  25-28:    See  Psalm  16:8-11. 

(d)  Verse  34:     See  Psalm  no,  verse  1. 

5.  In  this,  as  in  other  speeches  and  sermons  which  are  preserved  in 

the  book  of  Acts,  Luke  probably  gives  only  an  outline  or  sum- 
mary of  what  was  said. 

Memory  Verse:    Memorize  Acts  2:17. 


24  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  iu-.6 

Study  III.— €I)e  Christian  Cburcb  :  Cbe  descent  of 
t\)t  |)olp  Spirit 

Sixth  Day  :  The  Conversion  of  Three  Thousand  Souls 

When  Peter  had  finished  his  sermon,  many  of  the  men,  deeply 
affected  by  the  words  they  had  heard,  asked  what  they  were  to  do. 
Peter  bade  them  repent  and  be  baptized  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ. 
As  a  result  of  his  sermon  and  personal  exhortation,  three  thousand 
souls  were  converted, 
i.  Read  Acts  2:37-41. 

2.  Why  were  Peter's  hearers  "pricked  in  their  heart"  (verse  37)  ? 

3.  In  verse  39,  to  whom  does  Peter  refer  in  the  phrase  "all  that  are 

afar  off"?    Are  they  Jews  or  Gentiles? 

4.  How  large  was  the  Christian  Church  at  the  close  of  the  day  of 

Pentecost? 

5.  The  conversion  of  three  thousand   souls   at   Jerusalem  was    the 

first  step  in  the  fulfilment  of  a  promise  made  by  Christ  on  the 
day  of  His  ascension.     What  was  the  promise? 

Personal  Thought:  Peter  in  his  sermon  endeavored  to  show 
that  Jesus  was  the  Messiah.  He  closed  with  the  words,  "Let  all  the 
house  of  Israel  know  assuredly  that  God  hath  made  Him  both  Lord 
and  Christ,  this  Jesus  whom  ye  crucified."  At  this  the  Jews  were 
pricked  in  their  hearts.  Have  you  ever  been  pricked  in  the  heart 
when  thinking  of  God's  goodness  to  you  and  of  your  failure  to 
recognize  Him  as  your  Lord  and  Christ? 

Prayer:  "O  Lord,  who  hast  mercy  upon  all,  take  away  from 
me  my  sins,  and  mercifully  kindle  in  me  the  fire  of  Thy  Holy  Spirit. 
Take  away  from  me  the  heart  of  stone,  and  give  me  a  heart  of  flesh, 
a  heart  to  love  and  adore  Thee,  a  heart  to  delight  in  Thee,  to  follow 
and  to  enjoy  Thee,  for  Christ's  sake,"    Amen, 


Ill  .7  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  25 

Study  IIL—CJe  C&risitiaa  C!mrc& :  C&e  £)e0tent  of 
t&e  INlp  Spirit 

Seventh  Day  :     The  First  Converts  and  Their  Life 

Luke,  in  a  few  brief  sentences,  gives  a  beautiful  picture  of  the  joy 
and  gladness  that  pervaded  the  apostolic  church, 
i.  Read  Acts  2:42-47. 

2.  What   is   meant  by   "the   apostles'    teaching"    (or    doctrine)    of 

verse  42? 

3.  Verse  44 :    The  church  at  this  time  was  a  kind  of  socialistic  com- 

munity. All  things  were  held  in  common.  St.  Chrysostom 
(345-407  *a.d.)  calls  it  "an  angelic  republic." 

4.  Verse  46 :   The  Jewish  Christians,  as  may  be  seen  from  this  verse, 

still  kept  up  their  worship  at  the  temple.  To  the  temple  rites 
they  added  the  simple  Christian  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper, 
for  to  this  rite  the  words  "breaking  bread"  refer. 

5.  Verse  47:   "Favor  with  all  the  people,"  that  is,  with  the  common 

people.     What  was  the  attitude  of  the  common  people  toward 
Jesus  ?     See  Mark  12  :sy.     The  first  opposition  to  the  church 
came  from  the  highest  classes,  the  priests  and  Sadducees. 
"The  life  of  these  early  Christians  was  the  poetic  childhood  of 
the  church  in  her  earliest  innocence.     It  was  marked  by  simplicity, 
by  gladness,  by  worship,   by  brotherhood.     At  home  and  in  their 
place  of  meeting  their  lives  were  a  perpetual   prayer,   their  meals 
a  perpetual  love-feast  and  a  perpetual  eucharist.    In  the  temple  they 
attended  the  public  services  with  unanimous  zeal.     In  the  first  im- 
pulse of  fraternal  joy  many  sold  their  possessions  to  contribute  to 
the  common  stock.     The  members  of  the  little  community  increased 
daily,  and  the  mass  of  the  people  looked  on  them  not  only  with 
tolerance,  but  with  admiration." — Canon  Farrar. 


26  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  iV:i 

Study  IV. — Clje  Christian  Cbttrcl) :  Jtret  Jtttraclefi 

anti  JFtrfit  Crials 

First  Day:     The  First  Miracle 

One  day,  when  Peter  and  John  went  up  to  the  temple  at  the  hour 
of  prayer,  a  beggar,  who  had  been  a  cripple  from  birth,  asked  them 
for  money.  Immediately  Peter  healed  the  man  of  his  infirmity, 
whereupon  a  crowd  gathered  in  amazement  about  the  two  apostles. 
i.  Read  Acts  3  :i-ii. 

2.  Notice  that  Peter  and  John,  like  the  other  early  Christians,  were 

still  loyal  to  the  temple  services.     See  Acts  2 146. 

3.  What  time  of  day  was  the  "ninth  hour"   (verse  2)  ?     See  p.  23, 

4  (a). 

4.  The   "Beautiful   Gate"  of  the   temple   was   made   of   Corinthian 

bronze,  and  far  surpassed  in  value  those  made  of  silver  and 
gold. 

5.  The  Greek  words  in  verse  7  which  are  translated  "feet  and  ankle 

bones"  are  technical  terms  nowhere  else  used  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment. Is  there  any  reason  why  Luke,  the  writer  of  Acts,  should 
show  an  accurate  and  minute  knowledge  of  the  human  body? 
See  Colossians  4:14. 

6.  What  inference  do  you  draw  from  verse  8  concerning  the  religious 

nature  of  the  lame  beggar? 

7.  "Solomon's   porch"    (verse    11)    was   "a   great   arcade    reaching 

along  the  whole  east  side  of  the  temple." 

8.  Read  to-day's  lesson  again  slowly,  letting  your  imagination  picture 

to  you  the  scene  of  this  miracle. 
Thought  for  To-day:  The  apostles,  in  healing  the  lame  man, 
were  doing  Christ's  work.  "Have  you  ever  noticed  how  much  of 
Christ's  life  was  spent  in  doing  kind  things — in  merely  doing  kind 
things?  Run  over  it  with  that  in  view,  and  you  will  find  that  He 
spent  a  great  proportion  of  His  time  simply  in  making  people  happy, 
in  doing  good  turns  to  people." — Henry  Drummond. 


IV  :2  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  27 


Study  IV.— €&e  Christian  Clmrct) :  first  Jftitacles 
anti  Jurat  trials 

Second  Day  :     Peter's  Address  in  Solomon's  Porch 

When  the  crowd  had  gathered  in  Solomon's  Porch,  Peter  delivered 
to  them  an  address.  His  theme  is  "Jesus  the  Messiah."  Peter  tells 
his  hearers  that  faith  in  Jesus  has  healed  the  lame  man. 

1.  Read  Acts  3:12-26. 

2.  What  points   of  resemblance   do  you  find  between   this   address 

and  that  delivered  by  Peter  on  the  day  of  Pentecost? 

3.  Did  Peter  in  his  address  at  Pentecost  say  anything  about  faith? 

Does  he  say  anything  about  faith  in  this  address  ?    Is  any  devel- 
opment of  Christian  doctrine  noticeable? 

4.  What  do  you  suppose  the  feelings  of  the  Jews  were  as  they  list- 

ened to  Peter? 

5.  Were  any  converted  as  a  result  of  this  address?    See  Acts  4:4. 
Thought  for  the  Day:     "Souls  are  made  sweet  not  by  taking 

the  acid  fluids  out,  but  by  putting  something  in — a  great  love,  a 
new  Spirit,  the  Spirit  of  Christ.  Christ,  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  inter- 
penetrating ours,  sweetens,  purifies,  transforms  all.  This  only  can 
eradicate  what  is  wrong,  work  a  chemical  change,  renovate  and 
regenerate,  and  rehabilitate  the  inner  man.  Will-power  does  not 
change  men.  Time  does  not  change  men.  Christ  does.  Therefore, 
'Let  that  mind  be  in  you  which  was  in  Christ  Jesus/ " — Henry 
Drummond. 


28  Studies  in   the  Life  of  St.  Pan!  IV  .3 

Study  IV.— €()e  Christian  Clwrd):  first  ifttraclrs 
anto  Jtrfit  Crtals 

Third  Day:     The  First  Arrest  of  the  Apostles 

The  priests  and  the  captain  of  the  temple  and  the  Sadducees  were 
grieved  because  the  apostles  taught  the  people  the  doctrine  of  the 
resurrection  of  Jesus.  They  therefore  seized  Peter  and  John,  and 
put  them  in  prison. 

1.  Read  Acts  4:1-4. 

2.  The  "captain  of  the  temple"  (verse  1)  was  not  a  military  officer. 

He  had  charge,  however,  of  the  guard  of  priests  and  Levites 
who  watched  the  temple  at  night. 
.3.  What  two  reasons  had  the  priests  and  Sadducees  to  interfere  with" 
the  teaching  of  the  apostles?     Verse  2. 

4.  What  was  the  peculiar  religious  belief  of  the   Sadducees?     See 

Matthew  22:23. 

5.  Up  to  this  time  no  opposition  had  been  offered  to  growth  of  the 

Christian  body.  There  was  room  in  the  Jewish  Church  for 
many  sects,  such  as  the  Pharisees,  the  Sadducees,  and  the 
Essenes. 

6.  The  priests  and   the   Sadducees   formed  the  Jewish   aristocracy. 

They  caused  the  death  of  Jesus  through  fear  that  His  growing 
power  and  influence  would  lead  to  the  end  of  their  own  privi- 
leges. They  now  oppose  the  apostles  because  they  are  alarmed 
at  the  favor  shown  the  apostles  by  the  common  people. 

7.  How  much  has  the  Church  grown  since  the  day  of  Pentecost? 

See  verse  4. 
Prayer:  "O  God,  perfect  us  in  love,  that  we  may  conquer  all  sel- 
fishness and  hatred  of  others;  fill  our  hearts  with  Thy  joy,  and  shed 
abroad  in  them  Thy  peace  which  passeth  understanding;  that  so 
those  murmurings  and  disputings  to  which  we  are  too  prone  may  be 
overcome.  Make  us  long-suffering  and  gentle,  and  thus  subdue 
our  hastiness  and  angry  tempers,  and  grant  that  we  may  bring  forth 
the  blessed  fruits  of  the  Spirit,  to  Thy  praise  and  glory,  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,"    Amen, 


IV  :4  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  29 

Study  IV. — Clje  Christian  C(mtc() :  jFttst  iHtratlcs 
an&  jFirst  Criate 

Fourth  Day:     The  Apostles  are  Brought  Before  the 

Sanhedrin 

On  the  day  after  their  arrest,  Peter  and  John  were  brought  before 
the  Sanhedrin,  or  Jewish  Council.  When  asked  by  what  authority 
they  had  done  these  things,  the  apostles  replied  that  they  had 
taught  and  healed  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  The  authorities 
marveled  at  their  boldness;  of.  speech,  and  after  solemnly  warning 
them  let  them  go. 

1.  Read  Acts  4:5-22. 

2.  The  Sanhedrin,  before  which  the  apostles  were  brought  for  trial, 

was  a  Jewish  judicial  body  which  sat  chiefly  to  deliberate  upon 
matters  pertaining  to  religion.  It  consisted  of  seventy-one  mem- 
bers. 

3.  What   three  orders   composing  the    Sanhedrin   are   mentioned   in 

verses  5  and  6?  Note  that  the  term  "rulers"  of  verse  5  includes 
both  priests  and  Sadducees.  Many  of  the  priests  were  Sad- 
ducees.     (See  Acts  5:17.) 

4.  What  promise  of  aid  in  such  a  crisis  as  this  did  Jesus  make  to 

His  disciples?     Mark  13:11. 

5.  A  great  change  has  come  over  the  disciples.     They  are  no  longer 

timid  and  vacillating,  as  they  had  been  in  the  days  of  Jesus, 
but  are  strong  and  courageous.  How  do  you  account  for  this 
change  ? 

Personal  Thought:  'They  took  knowledge  of  them  that  they 
had  been  with  Jesus."  Is  my  own  speech,  bearing  and  conduct  such 
that  others  take  knowledge  of  me  that  I  have  been  with  Jesus?  Do 
I  earnestly  seek  that  power  which  made  the  disciples  so  effective? 

Prayer  :  "I  need  Thee  to  teach  me  day  by  day,  according  to  each 
day's  opportunities  and  needs.  Give  me,  O  my  Lord,  that  purity 
of  conscience  which  alone  can  receive,  which  alone  can  improve  Thy 
inspirations.  My  ears  are  dull  so  that  I  cannot  hear  Thy  voice.  My 
eyes  are  dim  so  that  I  cannot  see  Thy  tokens.  Thou  alone  canst 
quicken  my  hearing,  and  purge  my  sight,  and  cleanse  and  renew 
my  heart.    Teach  me  to  sit  at  Thy  feet  and  hear  Thy  word."   Amen. 


30  Studies  in   the  Life  of  St.  Paul  IV:5 

Study  IV.— Clje  Cljrtfittan  Cljurcl) :  JFitfit  piracies 
anU  JFttst  Crialtf 

Fifth  Day  :     The  Release  of  the  Apostles 

The  apostles,  when  released  by  the  Sanhedrin,  went  back  to 
their  brethren,  and  told  them  what  had  taken  place.  With  one 
accord  they  all  gave  thanks  to  God,  and  asked  Him  for  increased 
power  to  preach  the  Word.  The  Holy  Spirit  then  descended  mightily 
upon  them. 

i.  Read  Acts  4:23-31. 

2.  In  what  place  is  it  likely  that  the  apostles  found  "their  own  com- 

pany" (verse  23)   gathered? 

3.  The  prayer  contained  in  verses  24-30  is  one  of  the  longest  prayers 

in  the  New  Testament.  What  other  prayer  of  the  apostles  have 
you  already  found  in  the  book  of  Acts? 

4.  From  what  Psalm  are  verses  25  and  26  taken? 

5.  Verse  31 :    The  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit  comes  after  preparation 

of  the  heart  by  prayer.  The  possession  of  the  Holy  Spirit  gives 
joy  to  the  individual  life  and  power  to  affect  the  lives  of 
others. 

Thought  for  To-day:  Have  you  ever  longed  for  the  joy  and 
the  power  that  proceed  from  the  indwelling  of  the  Holy  Spirit? 
Have  you  sought  by  preparation  of  the  heart  and  by  prayer  to  secure 
the  presence  of  this  Spirit? 

Prayer:  "Come,  O  Lord,  in  much  mercy  down  into  my  soul,  and 
take  possession  and  dwell  there.  A  homely  mansion,  I  confess,  for 
so  glorious  a  Majesty,  but  such  as  Thou  art  fitting  up  for  the  recep- 
tion of  Thee,  by  holy  and  fervent  desires  of  Thine  own  inspiring. 
Enter  then,  and  adorn,  and  make  it  such  as  Thou  canst  inhabit, 
since  it  is  the  work  of  Thy  hands.  Give  me  Thine  own  Self,  with- 
out which,  though  Thou  shouldst  give  me  all  that  ever  Thou  hast 
made,  yet  could  not  my  desires  be  satisfied.  Let  my  soul  ever  seek 
Thee,  and  let  me  persist  in  seeking,  till  I  have  found,  and  am  in 
full  possession  of  Thee."    Amen. 


IV  :6  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  31 


Study  I V.— C&e  Christian  Cfmrc!) :  jFirst  JHiractas 
an*  jFirst  Criate 

Sixth  Day  :     Christian  Socialism  :  Death  of  Ananias 

and  Sapphira 

In  these  early  days  the  Christians  had  all  things  in  common.  The 
rich  provided  for  the  poor.  Many  sold  their  houses  and  lands,  and 
distributed  the  money  among  the  needy.  Ananias  and  his  wife 
Sapphira,  after  selling  a  possession,  brought  part  of  the  money  to 
the  apostles,  but  represented  that  it  was  the  entire  sum.  On  account 
of  this  sin  both  Ananias  and  Sapphira  instantly  lost  their  lives. 

1.  Read  Acts  4:32-37. 

2.  Were  the  members  of  the  Christian  Church  obliged  to  give  their 

possessions  up  to  the  common  store?     See  Acts  5:4. 

3.  Barnabas   (verse  36)  seems  to  have  known  St.  Paul  early  in  life, 

judging  from  subsequent  passages  in  Acts.  Perhaps  in  youth 
Barnabas  may  have  attended  the  university  at  Tarsus.  Cyprus, 
the  home  of  Barnabas,  is  less  than  fifty  miles  south  of  Tarsus. 
See  map,  p.  64. 

4.  Read  Acts  5  :i-ii. 

5.  In  what  way  does  the  sin  of  Ananias  and  Sapphira  exhibit   (1) 

deliberate  intention  to  do  wrong,  (2)  pride,  (3)  avarice,  (4) 
contempt  for  God,  and  (5)  disregard  of  the  truth? 

6.  Why  were  Ananias  and  Sapphira  punished  so  severely? 

7.  The  word  "church"   (verse  11)   is  here  used  for  the  first  time  in 

the  book  of  Acts.  "Church"  in  Acts  2:47  (Authorized  Version) 
is  an  interpolation,  and  does  not  appear  in  the  Revised  Version. 
Prayer:  "Almighty  God,  unto  whom  all  hearts  are  open,  all 
desires  known,  and  from  whom  no  secrets  are  hid;  cleanse  the 
thoughts  of  our  hearts  by  the  inspiration  of  Thy  Holy  Spirit,  that 
we  may  perfectly  love  Thee,  and  worthily  magnify  Thy  Holy  Name, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord."    Amen. 


32  Studies  in   the  Life  of  St.  Paul  IV 7 


Study  IV.— Cjje  Cljrtfittan  €I)urd) :  liv&t  piracies 

anto  jFirst  Crtate 
Seventh  Day:     The  Growth  of  the  Church 

The  spiritual  power  of  the  apostles  and  the  charity  of  the  Chris- 
tian believers  brought  multitudes  of  converts  into  the  Church ;  many 
miracles  were  wrought  by  the  apostles;  and  the  report  of  all  these 
things  spread  about  the  surrounding  district   of  Judea. 

1.  Read  Acts  5:12-16. 

2.  In   what  verses,   previously   studied,   is   it   stated    that  the   early 

Christians  used   to  assemble   in  the  temple? 

3.  How  large  do  you  suppose  the  Church  was  at  this  time? 

4.  Verse   16 :    The   region  about  Jerusalem,  that  is,  the  district  of 

Judea,  is  now  beginning  to  learn  of  the  work  of  the  apostles. 
Of  what  promise  is  this  the  fulfilment  ?     See  Acts  1 :8. 

5.  The   word   translated    "vexed"   is   a   Greek   term   often   used   by 

ancient  Greek  medical  writers.  It  is  found  in  only  one  other 
passage  of  the  New  Testament,  namely,  in  Luke  6:18.  What 
medical  or  technical  words  has  the  physician  Luke  used  already 
in  Acts? 

6.  Review  rapidly  the  work  of  this  week  by  reading  the  introductory 

paragraph  of  each  lesson. 

"Lord,  Thou  hast  promised  grace  for  grace, 
To  all  who  daily  seek  Thy  face ; 
To  them  who  have,  Thou  givest  more 
Out  of  Thy  vast,  exhaustless  store. 

"Each  step  we  take  but  gathers  strength 
For  further  progress,  till  at  length, 
With  ease  the  highest  steeps  we  gain, 
And  count  the  mountains  but  a  plain. 

"Help  us,  O  Lord,  that  we  may  grow 
In  grace  as  Thou  dost  grace  bestow ; 
And  still  Thy  richer  gifts  repeat 
Till  grace  in  glory  is  complete." 

— Samuel  K.  Cox. 


V:i  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  33 

Study  V.— We  Christian  Cljurcl) :  C&e  first  itotpr 
First  Day  :    The  Second  Arrest  of  the  Apostles 

The  Church  continued  to  increase  in  numbers  and  to  grow  in 
favor  with  the  people.  In  alarm  the  Sadducees  made  a  second 
attempt  to  put  down  the  new  faith.  They  seized  the  apostles  and 
put  them  in  prison.  The  apostles,  miraculously  freed  by  an  angel, 
returned  at  once  to  their  work  of  preaching  and  teaching,  where- 
upon the  Sadducees  held  them  for  trial  on  the  charge  that  they  had 
not  obeyed  when  ordered  to  cease  preaching  in  the  name  of  Jesus. 

1.  Read  Acts  5 :  17-26. 

2.  What  three  reasons  can  you  assign  as  the  cause  of  the  indigna- 

tion of  the  Sadducees  (verse  17)  ? 

3.  How  many  of  the  apostles  were  arrested?     See  verse  29. 

4.  What  is  meant  by  the  phrase  "the  words  of  this  life"  (verse  20)  ? 

Read  John  11 125. 

5.  Verse  21:     The  "council"  was  the  Sanhedrin;  the  "senate  of  the 

children   of  Israel"   seems  to  have  been  an  advisory  body  of 
elders. 

6.  From  verse  26  what  inference  do  you  draw  concerning  the  growth 

of  the  Church  ?    See  also  Acts  2  147 ;  3:11  and  12 ;  4:21;  and  5  '.3. 

7.  Verse  26:    "Brought  them" — to  what  place  did  the  officers  bring 

the  apostles?  See  verse  27. 
"The  same  body  which  had  been  present  at  those  secret,  guilty, 
tumultuous,  illegal  meetings  in  which  they  handed  over  the  Lord 
Jesus  to  their  Roman  executioners — were  again  assembled,  but  now 
with  something  of  misgiving  and  terror,  to  make  one  supreme  effort 
to  stamp  out  the  Galilean  heresy." — Canon  Farrar. 


34  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  y:2 

Study  V.— CIjc  Cbrtetian  Cljnrc!) :  Cbc  JFtrct  ittartpr 

Second  Day:     The  Trial  of  the  Apostles  Before  the 

Sanhedrin  :    The  Speech  of  Gamaliel 

The  apostles,  when  brought  to  trial,  again  proclaimed  the  resur- 
rection of  Christ,  and  charged  the  Council  with  his  death.  Filled 
with  rage,  the  Sanhedrin  planned  to  slay  the  apostles,  but  was 
checked  by  the  coolness  and  good  sense  of  the  Pharisee,  Gamaliel, 
the  teacher  of  St.  Paul.  After  beating  the  apostles,  they  dismissed 
them  with  a  warning. 

i.  Read  Acts  5:27-42. 

2.  Notice  in  verse  28  the  contemptuous  allusion  to  Jesus  in  the  words, 

"this  man's  blood."  In  the  Talmud,  or  Jewish  commentary  on 
the  Old  Testament,  Jesus  is  referred  to  as  Peloni,  or  "so 
and  so." 

3.  Gamaliel  was  the  most  eminent  doctor  of  the  law  of  the  times. 

"His  counsel  as  to  the  apostles  was  not  from  any  leaning  to 
Christianity,  but  from  opposition  to  Sadduceeism  in  a  case 
where  the  resurrection  was  the  point  at  issue,  and  from  seeing 
the  folly  of  unreasoning  bigotry." 

4.  Nothing  more  is  known  concerning  Theudas,  of  verse  36,  than 

is  there  given.  Judas  of  Galilee  (verse  37)  headed  an  insur- 
rection in  6  or  7  a.d.,  when  the  Romans  were  making  a  census 
of  the  Jews  for  taxation.  His  watchword  was,  "We  have  no 
Lord  or  Master  but  God." 

5.  Verse  40:     The  apostles  were  beaten  or  scourged.    Their  punish- 

ment did  not  exceed   forty  strokes,   for  that  was  the  number 
fixed  by  the  Mosaic  law.     See  Deuteronomy  25  13. 
Thought  for  To-day:     "They  therefore  departed  from  the  pres- 
ence  of  the  council,   rejoicing  that   they   were  counted   worthy   to 
suffer  dishonor  for  the  Name."    For  a  reason  why  Christians  should 
rejoice  in  tribulations,  see  St.  Paul's  words  in  Romans  5:3-5. 


V:3  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  35 

Study  V.— &&*  GTbrisitiaa  C|mrc|) :  C&e  first  JHartpr 
Third  Day  :     Seven  Deacons  Appointed  :     Paul  Comes 

to  Jerusalem 

As  the  growth  of  the  Church  continued,  the  number  of  needy- 
people  dependent  on  the  common  funds  became  so  great  that  the 
apostles  had  time  for  little  else  save  the  distribution  of  food,  cloth- 
ing, and  money.  In  order,  therefore,  to  have  more  time  for  preaching 
and  teaching,  the  apostles  appointed  seven  helpers,  or  deacons,  to 
take  charge  of  the  poor.  Paul  seems  to  have  come  to  Jerusalem 
from  Tarsus  about  this  time. 

1.  Read  Acts  6:1-7. 

2.  The  Greek  word  rendered  "Grecian  Jews"  in  the  R.V.  is  incor- 

rectly rendered  "Grecians"  in  the  A.V.  The  Jews  of  Palestine 
spoke  Aramaic,  a  language  akin  to  Hebrew,  though  very  many 
of  them  also  understood  Greek.  Most  of  the  Jews  outside 
of  Palestine  spoke  Greek.  In  general  the  Greek-speaking  Jews 
were  more  liberal  than  the  Hebrew-speaking  Jews.  The  latter, 
because  they  spoke  a  language  closely  related  to  the  Hebrew 
of  the  Old  Testament,  felt  themselves  to  be  truer  to  their 
national  ideals  than  were  the  Jews  who  habitually  used  the 
tongue  of  a  pagan  people. 

3.  How  did   it   happen  that  the   widows   of  the   Greek  Jews   were 

neglected? 

4.  To   "serve  tables"   is   to  handle  money    (verse  2).     The   Greek 

word  trapeza  {table)  also  means  bank,  when  applied  to  the 
tables  of  money  lenders. 

5.  Verse  5 :     The  seven  men  named  in  this   verse  all  have   Greek 

names.  Of  the  seven,  only  Stephen  and  Philip  are  subsequently 
mentioned  in  the  New  Testament. 

6.  Paul  probably  came  to  Jerusalem  about  this  time,  since  he  was 

present  at  the  stoning  of  Stephen,  which  took  place  not  long 
after  the  events  of  to-day's  lesson. 

7.  What  special  accessions  to  the  ranks  of  the  disciples  were  there 

at  this  time?     See  verse  7. 
Thought  for  the  Day:     Stephen  was  a  man  "full  of  faith  and 
of  the  Holy  Ghost."     The  heart  that  is  ready  may  through  faith 
receive  the  Holy  Spirit.     Read  carefully  St.   Paul's  prayer  for  the 
Ephesians,  in  Ephesians  3:14-21,  dwelling  especially  on  verse  17. 


36  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  V.4 

Study  V.— W*  Christian  Cburcl) :  CI)e  JFirat  jjftartpr 
Fourth   Day:     Stephen   Arraigned  Before  the   San- 

HEDRIN 

Stephen,  the  most  able  and  energetic  of  the  seven  men  appointed 
to  distribute  the  relief  funds,  soon  joined  in  debate  with  the  foreign 
Jews,  and  proved  too  much  for  them  in  argument.  Whereupon 
they  brought  him  before  the  Sanhedrin,  after  preparing  lying  wit- 
nesses, in  order  to  convict  him  of  blasphemy  and  put  him  to  death. 

1.  Read  Acts  6:8-15. 

2.  Verse  8:    ''Six  good  things  about  Stephen: 

(1)  Full  of  faith  (verse  5). 

(2)  Full  of  the  Holy  Ghost    (v.  5). 

(3)  Full  of  power   (v.  8). 

(4)  Full  of  irresistible  energy  and  power  (v.  10). 

(5)  Full  of  sunshine   (v.   15). 

(6)  An  intrepid  witness  for  God  (chapter  7)." 

— D.  L.  Moody. 

3.  The  Libertines  (verse  9)  were  probably  the  children  of  Jews  who 

had  been  carried  to  Rome  and  then  freed  at  a  later  time.  Cyrene 
was  a  Greek  city  of  north  Africa,  Alexandria  a  Greek  city  of 
Egypt.  Asia  in  the  book  of  Acts  is  always  the  province  of 
proconsular  Asia.  Locate  all  these  cities  and  regions  on  the 
map. 

4.  It  is  altogether  likely  that  Paul  at  this  time  attended  the  syna- 

gogue of  the  Cilicians  (verse  9).  He  would  therefore  hear  the 
arguments  of  Stephen. 

5.  They  "set  up  false  witnesses"   (verse  13).     Compare  also  Matt. 

26 159-61  and  Mark  14  \S7S9- 

6.  It  is  not  exactly  clear  what  the  teachings  of  Stephen  were.     Ap- 

parently he  taught  that  the  Laws  of  Moses  were  not  essential 
to  salvation — that  man  could  be  approved  of  God  and  justified 
in  His  sight  without  obedience  to  the  oral  or  written  law. 

7.  Verse  15:     "Three  men  in  the  Bible  whose  faces  shone:     Moses, 

Jesus,  and  Stephen." — Moody. 
Prayer:     "Lord,  make  us  to  resemble  even   here    the    heavenly 
kingdom,  through  mutual  love,  where  all  hatred  is  quite  banished, 
and  all  is  full  of  love,  and,  consequently,  full  of  joy  and  gladness." 
Amen. 


V:5  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  37 

Study  V.— &&e  Christian  C&ttrcl) :  C&e  jFirst  iHartpt 
Fifth  Day  :    Stephen's  Defense  Before  the  Sanhedrin 

Stephen,  when  arraigned  before  the  council,  delivered  the  speech 
or  sermon  contained  in  the  seventh  chapter  of  Acts.  This  sermon 
consists  of  two  parts,  (1)  a  historical  part  (verses  2-47),  and  (2) 
a  doctrinal  part  with  personal  application  to  his  hearers  (verses 
48-53). 

1.  Read  the  first  part  of  Stephen's  address:    Acts  7:1-47. 

2.  These  verses   are  an  excellent   epitome   of  Jewish   history   from 

the  call  of  Abraham  down  to  the  building  of  Solomon's  Temple. 
Verses  2-16  are  an  abridgment  of  the  contents  of  the  book  of 
Genesis ;  verses  17-41  are  an  abridgment  of  the  first  thirty-two 
chapters  of  Exodus ;  while  verses  42-47  constitute  in  briefest 
possible  form  a  synopsis  of  the  narrative  contained  in  Exodus 
(chapters  33-40),  Leviticus,  Numbers,  Deuteronomy,  Joshua, 
Judges,  Ruth,  1  and  2  Samuel,  and  1  Kings  1-8. 

3.  The  verses  you  have  read  to-day  should  help  you  to  understand 

better  the  position  of  the  Jews :  their  intense  national  pride ; 
their  knowledge  of  God's  constant  kindness  to  them  in  the  past ; 
their  feeling  of  superiority  over  their  less-favored  neighbors; 
and  their  devotion  to  their  own  peculiar  rites  and  ceremonies. 

Prayer:  "Help  me,  O  Lord,  that  I. may  not,  like  the  children  of 
Israel  of  old,  be  blind  to  Thy  leading.  Grant  that  I  may  see  how 
Thou  orderest  all  things  for  my  good,  and  enable  me  to  trust  Thee, 
and  love  Thee,  and  serve  Thee  day  by  day."    Amen. 


38  Studies  in   the  Life  of  St.  Paul  V:6 


Study  V.— QT|)c  CImflttan  Cburd) :  Cbc  first  ^ftartpr 
Sixth  Day:     Stephen's  Defense  Before  the  Sanhe- 

drin   (Continued) 

After  Stephen  had  reviewed  the  history  of  the  Jews  from  the 
call  of  Abraham  down  to  the  building  of  Solomon's  Temple,  he 
passed,  by  a  rapid  transition,  to  the  statement  that  God  dwells  not 
in  temples  made  by  hands,  but  in  the  temple  of  the  human  heart. 
Failure  to  recognize  this  had  led  the  Jews  to  resist  the  Holy  Ghost 
and  slay  Jesus,  the  Just  One. 
i.  Read  the  second  part  of  Stephen's  address:    Acts  7:48-53. 

2.  Does  Stephen  answer  at  all  the  false  charges  brought  against  him 

in  chapter  6,  verses  13  and  14? 

3.  What  three  specific  charges  does  Stephen  bring  against  his  hear- 

ers in  verses  51  to  53  of  chapter  7? 

4.  Can  you  prove,  from  any  passages  of  Acts  already  studied,  the 

truth  of  these  charges  made  by  Stephen  against  the  Jews? 

5.  With  verses  48  and  49  compare  what  Paul  says  in  Acts  17 :24  and 

25. 

Thought  for  To-day:  "Know  ye  not  that  ye  are  the  temple  of 
God  and  that  the  Spirit  of  God  dwelleth  in  you?  If  any  man  defile 
the  temple  of  God,  him  shall  God  destroy;  for  the  temple  of  God 
is  holy,  which  temple  ye  are."  St.  Paul,  First  Epistle  to  the  Cor- 
inthians, 3:16  and  17. 

Prayer:  "Open  wide  the  window  of  our  spirits,  and  fill  us  full 
of  light;  open  wide  the  door  of  our  hearts,  that  we  may  receive 
and  entertain  Thee  with  all  our  powers  of  adoration  and  love." 
Amen. 


V:7  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  39 

Study  V.— We  C&riattan  Cfwtcl) :  C&e  Jmst  iHartpr 

Seventh  Day  :    The  Murder  of  Stephen  :     Paul  Ap- 
proves the  Deed 

The  Jews,  cut  to  the  heart  by  the  words  of  Stephen,  rushed  upon 
him,  dragged  him  outside  the  city,  and  stoned  him  to  death.  Paul 
was  present,  and  took  an  approving  part,  at  least,  in  the  death  of 
Stephen. 

1.  Read  Acts  7:54-60. 

2.  What  three  reasons  did  you  discover  in  yesterday's  lesson  for  the 

frenzy  of  the  Jews  against  Stephen? 

3.  Verse  38:     In  stoning  Stephen   outside  the  city  the  Jews  were 

obeying  the  Mosaic  law.     See  Leviticus  24:13-16.     But  which 
one  of  the  Ten  Commandments  did  they  break? 

4.  The  witnesses  were  obliged  to  cast  the  first  stones,  hence  they 

removed  their  outer  garments.     See  Deuteronomy  17:6  and  7. 

5.  A  young  man  whose  name  was  Saul.     This  is  the  first  mention 

of  Paul  in  the  book  of  Acts.    He  is  here  called  by  his  Hebrew 
name  Saul.    The  name  Paul  is  not  introduced  until  Acts  13  '.9. 

(a)  How  did  it  happen  that  Paul  had  both  a  Hebrew  and  a 

Roman  name? 

(b)  In  what  year  was  Stephen  stoned? 

(c)  How  old  was  Paul  at  this  time? 

6.  What  part  did  Paul  take  in  the  death  of  Stephen?     Read  Acts 

8:1   (first  sentence),  and  Acts  22:20. 

7.  Why  did  Paul  consent  to  his  death? 

8.  Read  slowly  Acts  7:54-60,  and  8:1    (first  sentence),  and  let  your 

imagination  picture  to  you  the  death  of  the  first  martyr  and 

the  approving  part  taken  by  Paul. 

Prayer:     "Living  or  dying,  Lord,  I  would  be  Thine;  keep  me 

Thine  own  forever,  and  draw  me  day  by  day  nearer  to   Thyself, 

until  I  be  wholly  filled  with  Thy  love,  and  fitted  to  behold  Thee,  face 

to  face."    Amen. 


PART  III 

Paul  the  Persecutor  Converted 

Study  VI. — Paul  Persecutes  the  Church:    The  Church  Spreads 

Beyond  Judea 
Study  VII. — The  Conversion  of  Paul 
Study  VIII. — The  Gospel  is  Extended  to  the  Gentiles 


VI:  i  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  43 

Study  VI. — JJattl  persecutes  t&e  Cfmre!) :  W$z  Cfmrcl) 
J&prea&s  33ej>onU  ^ttUea 

First  Day  :     Paul  the  Persecutor 

Paul,  believing  that  the  followers  of  Jesus  had  embraced  a  danger- 
ous heresy,  and  were  likely  to  bring  into  contempt  the  laws  of  Moses 
and  the  services  of  the  Temple,  now  took  up  with  vigor  the  perse- 
cution of  the  Church.  He  thought  he  could  stamp  out  the  growing 
sect.  So  severe  was  the  persecution  that  the  Church  was  scattered 
throughout  Judea  and  Samaria.  The  very  means  taken  to  suppress 
the  Church  only  resulted  in  its  wider  diffusion. 

1.  Read  Acts  8:1-3. 

2.  From  the  standpoint  of  Paul's  training  and  education,  what  reason 

or  reasons  were  there  why  he  should  persecute  the  Church? 

3.  In   his   speech  before  Agrippa    (Acts  26:10),    Paul   says  of  this 

persecution,  "and  many  of  the  saints  did  I  shut  up  in  prison, 
having  received  authority  from  the  chief  priests ;  and  when 
they  were  put  to  death  I  gave  my  vote  against  them"  (Revised 
Version).  From  the  last  clause  of  the  quotation  it  is  inferred 
by  some  that  Paul  was  a  member  of  the  Sanhedrin. 

4.  If  Paul  was  a  member  of  the  Sanhedrin,  in  order  to  meet  the 

requirements  for  admission  to  that  body  he  must  have  been 
at  least  thirty  years  old,  and  must  have  been  married.  Accord- 
ing to  the  dates  given  in  an  earlier  lesson  of  this  book,  Paul  was 
thirty-two  years  old  at  this  time.  Paul  nowhere  mentions  his 
wife ;  in  fact,  he  distinctly  says  in  1  Cor.  7 :8  that  he  has  no 
wife.  First  Corinthians  was  written  about  57  a.d.  If  Paul 
was  a  member  of  the  Sanhedrin,  and  was  married,  it  is  likely 
that  his  wife  died  before  57  a.d. 

5.  Paul  by  his  persecution  was  spreading  the  Church.     "Saul,  the 

persecutor,  was  doing  by  opposite  means  the  same  work  as  Paul 
the  Apostle." 
Prayer  :    "O  Lord,  forgive  what  I  have  been,  sanctify  what  I  am ; 
and  order  what  I  shall  be."    Amen, 


44  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  vi:a 


Stud*  \'i._j)aul  J3rrficrutris  tbcCburcb:  Cbc  €|)urcl) 
Second  Day:     Paul  the  Persecutor   (Continued) 

In  his  letters  and  speeches  Paul  speaks  with  deepest  regret  of  his 
persecution  of  the  Christians.     Several  of  these  passages  are  cited 
below,  and  form  the  subject  of  to-day's  lesson, 
i.  Paul's  work  of  persecution  was  conscientiously  done:     Acts  26:9. 

2.  It  was  done  with  vehemence  and  vigor:    Acts  26:10-11 ;  Galatians 

1  :i3  ;  Philippians  3  :6. 

3.  It  was  done  through  ignorance  and   unbelief:     1   Timothy   1:12 

and  13. 

4.  Jesus  Himself  foretold  such  persecution:   John  16:2. 

"Terrible  were  the  scenes  which  ensued.  He  flew  from  synagogue 
to  synagogue,  and  from  house  to  house,  dragging  forth  men  and 
women,  who  were  cast  into  prison  and  punished.  Some  appear  to 
have  been  put  to  death,  and,  darkest  trait  of  all,  others  were  com- 
pelled to  blaspheme  the  name  of  the  Saviour." 

"It  may  seem  too  venturesome  to  call  this  the  last  stage  of  Paul's 
unconscious  preparation  for  his  apostolic  career.  But  so  indeed  it 
was.  In  entering  on  the  career  of  a  persecutor  he  was  going  on 
straight  in  the  line  of  the  creed  in  which  he  had  been  brought  up ; 
and  this  was  its  reduction  to  an  absurdity.  Besides,  through  the 
gracious  working  of  Him  whose  highest  glory  is  out  of  evil  still 
to  bring  forth  good,  there  sprang  out  of  these  sad  doings  in  the 
mind  of  Paul  an  intensity  of  humility,  a  willingness  to  serve  even 
the  least  of  the  brethren  of  those  whom  he  had  abused,  and  a  zeal 
to  redeem  lost  time  by  the  parsimonious  use  of  what  was  left,  which 
became  permanent  spurs  to  action  in  his  subsequent  career."— Stalker. 


VI  :3  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  45 

Study  VI— JJattl  persecute*  t\)t  Clmrcl) :  Clje  Cljurcl) 

J&>ptea&si  3Sej>on&  3fa**a 

Third  Day:    The  Church  Scattered  by  Persecution 

Many  times  in  the  history  of  the  Church  its  enemies  have  endeav- 
ored to  kill  it  by  persecution.  Such  attempts  have  usually  resulted 
in  spreading  the  Church  over  a  wider  area,  and  in  diffusing  the 
doctrines  of  Christianity  among  a  greater  mass  of  men.  The  perse- 
cution that  arose  after  the  death  of  Stephen  had  this  same  result. 

1.  Read  Acts  8:1  and  4,  noticing  particularly  the  regions  to  which 

the  Christians  flee  for  safety. 

2.  It  is  Luke's  practice  to  unfold  in  methodical  fashion  the  orderly 

growth  of  the  Church.  First  he  makes  the  general  statement 
contained  in  chapter  8,  verses  1  and  4,  concerning  the  dispersion 
of  the  Christians.  Next  he  proceeds  to  name  specific  towns  and 
cities  where  the  Gospel  was  preached. 

3.  Loosely  inserted  in  this  book  is  an  outline  map  of  the  Pauline 

World.  As  stated  in  the  introduction  (p.  xiii),  this  map  is 
to  be  used  in  tracing  the  growth  of  the  Church  and  in  showing 
the  part  that  St.  Paul  took  in  that  development.  If  from  this 
time  on  you  mark  with  a  cross  (X)  by  means  of  red  ink  or 
a  red  pencil  all  the  places  in  which  Paul  or  the  apostles  preach 
the  Gospel,  you  will  be  able  to  follow  in  an  interesting  manner 
the  extension  of  the  Church  through  the  Roman  Empire. 

4.  The  Gospel  has  now  been  thoroughly  preached  in  Jerusalem :    See 

Acts  5  :28.    Mark  Jerusalem  with  a  cross. 

5.  Believers  are  now  scattered  throughout  the  regions  of  Judea  and 

Samaria.  They  are  telling  the  Gospel  story  and  are  preparing 
the  way  for  the  work  of  the  apostles.  Place  two  or  three 
crosses  in  Judea  and  in  Samaria. 

6.  The  Gospel  has  now  spread  from  Jerusalem  through  Judea  and 

Samaria.  Of  what  promise  of  Christ  is  this  the  fulfilment? 
Acts  1 :8. 


46  Studies  in   the  Life  of  St.  Paul  VI.4 

Study  VI. — Paul  persecuted  tlje  (£I)urej):  GTIjc  Cjmrcj) 
Fourth  Day  :     Philip  Preaches  in  Samaria 

Through  the  influence  of  Christian  refugees  from  Jerusalem,  and 
through  the  preaching  of  Philip,  the  Gospel  now  spreads  beyond 
Judea  into  the  region  of  Samaria.  Samaria  was  a  district  inhabited 
by  a  mixed  people,  partly  of  Eastern  and  partly  of  Hebrew  origin. 
Upon  the  Samaritans  the  Jews  themselves  looked  with  scorn  and 
contempt.  Therefore  the  extension  of  the  Gospel  to  the  Samaritans 
was  an  important  event,  inasmuch  as  it  was  the  first  step  away  from 
Jewish  exclusiveness  in  the  direction  of  the  Gentiles. 

1.  Read  Acts  8:5-8. 

2.  Who  was  Philip,  mentioned  in  verse  5?     See  Acts  6:5. 

3.  Samaria  lay  north  of  Judea   (see  map,  p.  64).     It  was  occupied 

in  ancient  times  by  ten  tribes  of  the  Hebrew  nation.  Part 
of  this  population  was  carried  off  in  722  B.C.  by  Sargon,  king 
of  Assyria.  Later  the  kings  of  Assyria  brought  thousands  of 
men  from  Arabia  and  from  the  region  of  the  Tigris  and  Euphra- 
tes, and  settled  them  in  Samaria.  These  newcomers  intermar- 
ried with  the  Jews  who  had  remained  in  the  land,  and  produced 
the  mixed  race  known  as  the  Samaritans.  The  Samaritans 
claimed  kinship  with  the  Jews,  and  maintained  a  rival  Temple 
of  Jehovah  on  Mount  Gerizim.  The  Jews  regarded  them  as  little 
better  than  Gentiles. 

4.  For  a  reference  in  the  Gospels  to  the  relations  existing  between 

Jews  and  Samaritans,  see  John  4  :g. 

5.  Samaria  was  prepared  for  the  preaching  of  Philip : 

(a)  By  the  labors  of  Jesus.     See  John  4:39-42. 

(b)  By  Christian  refugees.     See  Acts  8:1  and  4. 

6.  The  Samaritans  had  the  Hebrew  Scriptures,  and  kept  the  Law  of 

Moses.  On  the  other  hand,  they  were  partly  of  Jewish  and 
partly  of  Gentile  blood.  They  were  one  of  the  links  between 
Jews  and  Gentiles. 

7.  Mark  the  city  of  Samaria  with  a  cross  upon  your  outline  map. 


VI  :5  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  47 

Study  VI.— fjattl  persecutes  t&e  €I)ttrc{) :  C&e  Cfjttrc^ 

^preatis  ^SeponU  3fuHea 
Fifth  Day:     Philip  and  Simon  the  Sorcerer 

While  Philip  was  preaching  in  Samaria,  the  apostles  Peter  and 
John  came  down  from  Jerusalem  and  laid  their  hands  upon  the 
Samaritan  converts,  who  immediately  received  the  gift  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  Among  these  converts  was  a  sorcerer  named  Simon.  Seeing 
what  was  done,  and  wishing  to  use  this  gift  for  improper  purposes, 
Simon  brought  money  and  offered  it  to  the  apostles  that  he  might 
obtain  the  power  to  communicate  the  Holy  Spirit.  For  this  covetous 
and  presumptuous  deed  he  was  sternly  rebuked. 

1.  Read  Acts  8:9-25. 

2.  Verse  9 :     It  is  not  clear  by  what  means   Simon  performed  his 

wonders,  whether  by  sleight-of-hand,  clairvoyance,  or  hypno- 
tism. 

3.  Why  did  the  apostles  at  Jerusalem   send   Peter  and  John  down 

into  Samaria? 

4.  Simon's  sin  lay  in  the  motive  that  prompted  him  to  secure  the 

power  of  communicating  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  also  in  the 
thought  that  the  Holy  Spirit  could  be  bought  for  money.  He 
wanted  the  Holy  Spirit  not  for  his  own  spiritual  growth  and 
advancement,  but  to  use  as  a  wonder  and  as  a  means  by  which 
he  might  astonish  the  people. 

5.  What  does  the  word  simony  mean? 

6.  Verse  25 :     The  Gospel  has   spread  still   farther  about   Samaria. 

Place  one  or  two  additional  crosses  in  the  region  of  Samaria 

on  your  outline  map. 
Thought  for  the  Day:  God  will  not  let  us  bargain  with  Him 
for  righteousness  or  for  His  approval.  Have  you  ever  vowed  that 
if  God  would  grant  you  the  desire  of  your  heart  you  would  serve 
Him?  Do  you  not  already  owe  Him  the  loving  service  of  your  life 
in  return  for  what  He  has  done  and  is  doing  for  you? 


48  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  VI  :6 

Study  VI.— flaul  persecutes  t\)t  Cfmrcl):  CI)e  Clmtc& 

J^preaUs  3Sej>cmto  3ftrtiea 
Sixth  Day:     Philip  and  the  Ethiopian  Eunuch 

While  Peter  and  John  were  preaching  in  Samaria,  Philip  was 
sent  by  an  angel  to  meet  the  chamberlain  or  treasurer  of  Candace, 
queen  of  Ethiopia.  This  chamberlain  had  been  at  Jerusalem  to 
worship,  and  was  now  on  his  way  back  to  Africa.  Taught  by 
Philip,  the  eunuch  confessed  Christ,  and  was  baptized. 

1.  Read  Acts  8:26-40. 

2.  Verse  26:    There  were  two  roads  from  Jerusalem  to  Gaza.     The 

northern  road  led  to  Ascalon,  then  down  the  coast  to  Gaza;  the 
southern  road  led  past  Hebron,  through  desert  country,  to 
Gaza. 

3.  Ethiopia  was  a  country  of  uncertain  extent  lying  south  of  Egypt, 

between  the  Nile  and  the  Red  Sea.  Ethiopia  and  the  Ethiopians 
are  frequently  mentioned  in  the  Old  Testament.  After  Egypt 
had  been  made  a  Greek  kingdom  by  Alexander  and  his  suc- 
cessors, Greek  literature  penetrated  into  Ethiopia.  Thither 
also  seems  to  have  gone  the  Greek  version  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment, for  from  it  the  eunuch  was  reading. 

4.  Verses  32  and  33 :     These  verses  are  quoted  from  the  Septuagint 

or  Greek  version  of  the  Old  Testament. 

5.  To  whom  does  the  prophecy  in  verses  32  and  33  refer? 

6.  Tradition  says  that  the  eunuch  became  the  founder  of  the  Chris- 

tian Church  in  Ethiopia.  For  a  prophecy  regarding  Ethiopia 
see  Psalm  68,  latter  part  of  verse  31. 

7.  In  your  outline  map  mark  with  crosses  the  cities  of  Azotus  and 

Csesarea. 

8.  Philip  is  not  mentioned  again  in  Acts  until  verse  8  of  chapter  21, 

when  Paul  and  his  party  were  entertained  by  him  at  Caesarea, 
twenty  years  after  the  events  of  to-day's  lesson. 
Thought  for  To-day:     Philip  obeyed  God's  messenger  and  be- 
came a  great  means  of  good  to  the  Ethiopian  chamberlain.    Are  you 
ready  always  to  obey  the  promptings  of  God's   Spirit   for  service 
among  those  whom  you  may  influence? 


VI  :y  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  49 

Study  VI. — JJattl  JJercenttcfif  tbe  CImtcl) :  W$t  Cljurcb 

i>prea&s  -BeponU  JuUea 

Seventh  Day:    Review  Lesson 

You  have  now  finished  the  Studies  which  precede  the  conversion 
of  Paul.  Before  going  on  it  will  be  helpful  to  review  briefly  the 
work  of  the  past  six  weeks. 

1.  What  were  the  three  world-nations  in  St.  Paul's  time? 

2.  How   did  each  nation  help  prepare  the  way  for  the  spread  of 

Christianity? 

3.  What  was  the  moral  condition  of  the  world  at  this  time? 

4.  When  and  where  did  Christianity  rise? 

5.  When  and  where  was  St.  Paul  born? 

6.  How  was  he  qualified  to  work  and  preach  in  a  world  that  was 

at  the  same  time  Greek,  Roman,  and  Jewish? 

7.  What  did  Paul  study  at  Jerusalem? 
?.  Did  Paul  see  Jesus? 

9.  What  promise  and  what  prophecy  did  Jesus  make  to  His  dis- 
ciples on  the  day  of  His  ascension? 

10.  What  were  some  of  the  results  of  the  descent  of  the  Holy  Spirit? 

11.  What  causes  led  to  the  death  of  Stephen? 

12.  Trace  the  spread  of  Christianity  outward  from  Jerusalem. 

13.  What  has  been  Paul's  attitude  toward  the  Christian  Church,  and 

why  has  he  taken  this  attitude? 
Prayer  :  "Almighty  God,  our  heavenly  Father,  without  whose 
help  labor  is  useless,  without  whose  light  search  is  vain,  invigorate 
my  studies,  and  direct  my  inquiries,  that  I  may  by  due  diligence 
and  right  discernment  establish  myself  and  others  in  Thy  holy  faith. 
Let  me  not  linger  in  ignorance,  but  enlighten  and  support  me,  for 
the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord."    Amen. 


;o  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  viln 


Study  VII. — CIjc  Conversion  of  JJaul 
First  Day  :     Paul  on  the  Road  to  Damascus 

Paul  hoped  to  stamp  out  the  new  faith,  but  his  vigorous  persecu- 
tion of  the  Christians  only  resulted  in  scattering  them  throughout 
Judea,  Samaria  and  the  regions  beyond.  Enraged  because  his  efforts 
to  destroy  had  operated  to  spread  the  new  belief,  Paul  secured  let- 
ters from  the  high  priest,  and  set  out  for  Damascus  to  arrest  all 
Christians  whom  he  might  find  in  that  city.  As  Paul  drew  near 
to  Damascus  a  voice  from  heaven  spoke  to  him,  he  fell  to  the  ground, 
and  was  smitten  with  blindness.  His  companions  then  led  him  into 
the  city. 

1.  Read  Acts  9:1-9. 

2.  What  do  you  suppose  were  Paul's  thoughts  while  on  the  way  to 

Damascus? 

3.  Verse  5 :  With  this  verse  compare  Acts  26:14,  and  notice  fhe  state- 

ment, "It  is  hard  for  thee  to  kick  against  the  goad."  This 
is  a  metaphor  derived,  like  so  many  of  the  figures  and  illustra- 
tions of  Jesus,  from  the  scenes  of  country  life.  The  figure  is 
that  of  an  ox  kicking  against  the  goad.  It  was  a  proverbial 
expression,  signifying  "to  offer  vain  resistance."  This  verse 
is  of  the  utmost  importance  for  understanding  Paul's  condition 
of  heart  at  this  time.  He  was  trying  to  be  righteous  by  obeying 
the  Mosaic  law.  His  zeal  for  the  Law  caused  him  to  persecute 
the  Christians.  He  may  have  seen  in  the  daily  life  and  char- 
acter of  the  Christians  whom  he  persecuted  that  which  led  him 
to  doubt  and  question  his  own  course.  Yet  to  quiet  the  prick 
of  conscience  he  threw  himself  heart  and  soul  into  the  work  of 
making  havoc  of  the  Church. 

4.  What  were  some  of  Paul's  thoughts  during  the  next  three  days? 
Thought  for  the  Day  :    During  his  three  days  of  blindness  Paul's 

whole  previous  life  "fell  down  in  fragments  at  his  feet."  He  had 
sought  to  gain  the  favor  of  God  by  scrupulous  obedience  to  the  Law. 
His  life  had  been  consistent  but  misdirected.  Are  you  trying  to 
secure  the  favor  of  God  by  rules  and  laws  of  your  own  making, 
rather  than  by  accepting  Him  by  faith  as  your  Saviour? 


VII  :2  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  51 


Study  VII.— C&e  QDontoermon  of  JJattl 
Second  Day  :    The  Conversion  of  Paul 

While  Paul,  fasting  and  in  darkness,  was  thinking  and  praying 
over  the  strange  experience  that  had  befallen  "him,  he  had  a  vision 
in  which  a  disciple  named  Ananias  came  to  him  and  restored  his 
sight.  Simultaneously,  Ananias  was  prepared  by  means  of  a  vision 
to  visit  Paul.  Accordingly,  Ananias  went  to  Paul,  and  laid  his  hands 
upon  him.  At  once  Paul  received  his  sight  and  was  filled  with  the 
Holy  Ghost.  He  then  received  Christian  baptism,  and  remained 
some  days  with  the  disciples. 

1.  Read  Acts  9:10-19. 

2.  For  what  was  Paul  praying  (verse  11)  ? 

3.  Judging  from  the  narrative,  what  was  the  condition  of  Paul's 

heart  at  this  time? 

4.  Verse  15 :   In  this  verse  the  three  world-peoples  of  St.  Paul's  time 

are  named : 

(a)  Romans  :  The  "Kings"  before  whom  Paul  appeared  were 
Nero  and  King  Agrippa,  also  remotely,  the  rulers  Felix 
and  Festus,  who  represented  the  Roman  Emperor  in  the 
East. 

(b)  Greeks  :  The  word  "Gentile"  is  often  used  as  a  designa- 
tion of  the  Greek  pagan  world. 

(c)  Jews  :    The  "children  of  Israel." 

5.  "Then  was  Paul  certain  days  with  the  disciples  which  were  at 

Damascus."  The  expression  rendered  "certain  days"  may  be 
translated  "some  days."  It  is  found  also  in  Acts  10:48;  15:36; 
16:12;  24:24;  and  25:13.  In  all  these  passages  the  time  indi- 
cated is  brief. 

"The  Shepherd  sought  His  sheep, 
The  Father  sought  His  child; 
He  followed  me  o'er  vale  and  hill, 

O'er  deserts  waste  and  wild ; 
He  found  me  nigh  to  death, 

Famished,  and  faint,  and  lone; 
He  bound  me  with  the  bands  of  love, 
He  saved  the  wandering  one." 

— Horatius  Bonar. 


52  Studies  iii  the  Life  of  St.  Pout  Yllis 

Study  VII.— GRfre  Conversion  of  JOnul 
Third  Day:     Paul  Preaches  in  Damascus 

During  the  short  time  that  Paul  tarried  in  Damascus  he  visited 
the  synagogues  and  preached  Christ.  In  the  synagogue^  were  many 
devout  Jews,  probably,  also,  some  Greek  proselytes.  The  Jews  of 
Damascus  seem  to  have  been  less  fanatical  than  the  Jews  of  Jerusa- 
lem ;  consequently  Paul,  at  first,  was  able  to  gain  a  hearing, 
i.  Read  Acts  9:20-22. 

2.  Verse  21 :     From  this  verse  it  would  seem  that  the  synagogue 

congregations  of  Damascus  were  not  greatly  disturbed  by  the 
preaching  of  Christian  doctrine. 

(a)  Were  the  Jews  outside  of  Palestine  more  or  less  liberal 
than  the  Jews  of  Palestine? 

(b)  How  do  you  account  for  this  difference? 

3.  Damascus    is    perhaps    the    oldest    city    in    the    world.      It    early 

became  the  most  important  city  of  Syria.  Its  importance  was 
due  to  its  situation  and  to  the  wealth  which  it  accumulated. 
For  the  commercial  importance  of  Damascus,  see  Ezekiel  27:16 
and  18. 

4.  Mark  Damascus  with  a  cross  on  your  outline  map. 

5.  Verse  22 :     Paul,  the  well-trained  Rabbi,  skilled  in  all  the  subtle 

arguments  of  the  Pharisees,  now  brings  all  his  extensive  knowl- 
edge of  the  Old  Testament  and  its  traditions  to  prove  that  Jesus 
is  the  Messiah. 
Thought  for  the  Day  :    "Straightway  he  preached  Christ."    Paul 
is   remarkable   for  his   intensity,   vigor,   and   promptness   of   action. 
A  verse  in  one  of  his  letters  to  Timothy  may  be  said  to  be  his  motto : 
"Preach   the  word;   be   instant   in   season,   out   of  season,   reprove, 
rebuke,  exhort  with  all  long-suffering  and  doctrine."    2  Tim*  4:2. 


VII  :4  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  53 

Study  VII. — Clje  Conversion  of  Jpaul 
Fourth  Day:     Paul  Retires  to  Arabia 

After  preaching  a  few  days  in  Damascus,  Paul  retired  to  Arabia 
for  rest  and  meditation.  How  long  he  remained  in  Arabia  is  not 
entirely  certain,  yet  his  sojourn  was  not  over  three  years. 

1.  Read  Galatians  1  '.15-17. 

2.  Arabia,  a  vast  region  bounded  on  the  north  by   Palestine  and 

Syria,  on  the  east  by  the  Euphrates  and  the  Persian  Gulf,  on  the 
south  by  the  Arabian  Sea  and  the  strait  of  Bab-el-Mandeb;  and 
on  the  west  by  the  Red  Sea  and  Egypt.  See  map,  p.  64.  Notice 
that  a  portion  of  Arabia  lies  east  of  Damascus. 

3.  Can  you  think  of  any  reasons   why   Paul   should  withdraw   to 

Arabia? 

4.  What  leader  of  Old  Testament  times  spent  forty  years  of  retire- 

ment in  Arabia  ?    See  Acts  7 129  and  30. 

5.  Paul  retired  to  Arabia  probably  because  he  wished  to  gain  time 

for  rest  and  reflection.    The  whole  current  of  his  life  had  been 
changed.    He  wanted  time  to  think  over  the  past,  to  realize  the 
significance  of  the  present,  and  to  prepare  for  his  work  in  the 
future.     It  is  likely  that  during  this  period  of  retirement  his 
conception  of  the  divine  plan  of  salvation  by  faith  took  form 
— a  conception  which  he  later  set  forth  fully  in  his  letter  to 
the  Romans.     Paul  had  sought  the  favor  of  God  by  excessive 
zeal  for  the  Law  of  Moses  and  the  traditions  of  the  fathers. 
Now  he  had  found  that  God's  favor  and  approval  were  secured 
by   repentance  and  by   faith  in  Jesus   Christ.     Read    Romans 
3:19-28. 
Thought  for  To-day:     Goethe  says:     "Talent  develops  itself  in 
solitude;  character  in  the  stream  of  life."    St.  Paul's  retirement  into 
Arabia  prepared  him  for  the  severe  toils  and  labors  that  awaited 
him  in  the  world;  and  these  hardships,  when  they  came,  all  con- 
tributed to  fashion  his  character  into  that  strength  which  excites 
our  admiration. 


54  Studies  in   the  Life  of  St.  Paul  VII  :5 

Study  VII. — CI)e  Conbrrdton  of  {Jaul 

Fifth  Day  :     Paul  Returns  to  Damascus  :    His  Flight 

to  Jerusalem 

After  his  period  of  retirement  in  Arabia,  Paul  returned  to  Damas- 
cus, and  took  up  again  with  increased  power  his  work  in  the  syna- 
gogues. Learning  of  a  plot  of  the  Jews  to  kill  him,  Paul  escaped 
from  Damascus,  and  went  to  Jerusalem,  where  he  remained  a  short 
time  with  the  disciples. 
i.  Read  Acts  9:23-28. 

2.  The  "many  days"  of  verse  23  constitute  the  time  from   Paul's 

conversion  to  his  escape  to  Jerusalem,  and  include  his  sojourn 
in  Arabia.     How  long  a  space  of  time  was  this?    Gal.  1:18. 

3.  The  "three  years"  of  Gal.  1  :i8  may  be  actually  only  a  little  over 

a  year.  According  to  Jewish  methods  of  reckoning,  from  a 
point  near  the  end  of  one  year  to  a  point  shortly  after  the 
beginning  of  the  second  year  following  was  a  space  of  three 
years. 

4.  Paul  himself  tells  how  the  Jews  lay  in  wait  for  him  at  Damascus : 

2  Cor.  11:32,  33- 

5.  Why  did  the  Jews  seek  to  kill  Paul? 

6.  "Aretas  the  King,"  mentioned  in  2  Cor.  11:32,  was  the   king  of 

Arabia.  Damascus  was  a  city  of  the  Roman  province  of 
Syria.  Damascene  coins  of  Augustus  and  Tiberius,  and  after- 
ward of  Nero  and  other  emperors,  have  been  found,  but  none 
for  the  reign  of  Caligula.  Therefore,  it  seems  probable  that 
during  his  reign  (37-41  a.d.)  some  change  in  the  government 
took  place.  From  2  Cor.  11:32  it  appears  that  Damascus  be- 
longed to  Arabia  at  the  time  when  Paul  made  his  escape.  Paul's 
escape,  therefore,  must  have  taken  place  at  some  time  within  the 
years  37-41  a.d. 

7.  Why  was  Barnabas  the  one  to  befriend  Paul  at  Jerusalem?     See 

p.  31,  section  3. 

8.  How  many  apostles  were  in  Jerusalem  at  this  time?     See  Gala- 

tians  1 : 1 8-20. 

9.  How  long  did  Paul  stay  at  Jerusalem? 

Thought  for  the  Day  :  Observe  with  what  power  Paul  does  his 
work  after  his  retirement  in  Arabia.  Do  you  personally  know  the 
value  of  the  quiet  hour  for  self-examination  and  prayer  as  a  prepara- 
tion for  service? 


VII  :6  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  55 

Study  VII. — CI)e  Conversion  of  fJanl 

Sixth     Day  :     Paul    Preaches    at    Jerusalem  :     His 
Flight  to  Tarsus 

During  his  stay  of  two  weeks  at  Jerusalem,  Paul  spoke  and  taught 
boldly  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  So  vigorous  was  his  preach- 
ing that  the  Jews  were  moved  with  anger,  and  sought  to  kill  him, 
but  Paul  escaped  and  went  to  Tarsus. 

1.  Read  Acts  9:29  and  30. 

2.  Verse  29:     The  word  translated  "Grecian  Jews"  in  the  R.V.  is 

incorrectly  rendered  "Grecians"  in  the  A.V. 

3.  Paul  probably  preached  in  the  very  synagogues  in  which  Stephen 

had  been  so  active.     See  Acts  6:9. 

4.  Why  did  the  Greek  Jews  plan  to  slay  Paul? 

5.  During  this  sojourn  of  a  fortnight  in  Jerusalem,  Paul  had  a  vision 

in  which  his  mission  to  the  Gentiles  was  stated  to  him  clearly. 

(a)  Read  Acts  22:17-21. 

(b)  Had   Paul  known  before  this  time  that  he  should  be  an 
apostle  to  the  Gentiles?    See  Acts  22:12-15. 

6.  Verse  29:     Paul  now  begins  to  suffer  the  trials  that  were  his 

promised  lot.  See  Acts  9:16. 
Lesson  Thought:  The  opposition  that  Paul  met  in  Jerusalem 
must  have  caused  him  deep  sorrow.  He  had  hoped,  undoubtedly, 
to  undo  some  of  the  wrong  he  had  done  to  the  Christian  Church 
in  that  city.  But  God's  plans  are  wider  than  the  plans  of  men.  It 
was  His  design  that  Paul  should  preach  to  the  world,  not  to  the 
provincial  city  of  Jerusalem ;  hence  came  the  command :  "Depart, 
for  I  will  send  thee  far  hence  unto  the  Gentiles." 


56  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  VII 7 

Study  VII. — Cl)c  (Donucraton  of  jjattl 
Seventh  Day  :     Review  Lesson 

The  apostles  have  now  spread  the  Gospel  over  Judea  and  Samaria. 
The  next  step  is  to  extend  it  to  the  Gentiles.  Before  passing  to 
this  new  subject,  Luke  inserts  in  his  narrative  a  brief  summary  of 
the  growth  of  the  Church. 

1.  Read  Acts  9:31. 

2.  Such  summaries  as  the  one  just  read  are  placed  by  Luke  at  the 

end  of  distinct  periods  in  the  growth  of  the  Church.  What 
ones  have  you  noticed  already? 

3.  Read  rapidly  in  review  the  introductory  paragraphs  of  the  lessons 

of  this  Study  (VII),  pp.  50-56. 

4.  Paul  is  now  at  Tarsus.    By  his  birth  of  Jewish  parents  in  a  Greek 

city,  and  by  his  possession  of  Roman  citizenship,  he  is  ideally 
qualified  to  labor  anywhere  in  the  world.  By  his  training  at 
Jerusalem,  his  conversion,  his  meditation  in  Arabia,  and  by 
his  preaching  at  Damascus  and  Jerusalem,  he  has  been  fitted 
to  labor  as  a  Christian  missionary.  He  is  now  at  Tarsus  await- 
ing orders. 

5.  While  Paul  was  at  Tarsus  he  may  have  founded  some  Christian 

churches  in  Cilicia.  In  Acts  15 123,  churches  of  Cilicia  are 
mentioned,  though  no  account  is  given  of  their  planting. 

6.  Mark  Tarsus  with  a  cross  on  your  outline  map. 

7.  Study  your  outline  map  carefully,  noticing  particularly  all  towns 

or   cities   in   which   the   Gospel   has   been   preached   up  to  this 

point  in  the  narrative. 
Prayer:  "O  God,  who  through  the  preaching  of  the  blessed 
Apostle  Saint  Paul,  hast  caused  the  light  of  the  Gospel  to  shine 
throughout  the  world ;  grant,  we  beseech  Thee,  that  we,  having 
his  wonderful  conversion  in  remembrance,  may  show  forth  our 
thankfulness  unto  Thee  for  the  same,  by  following  the  holy  doc- 
trine which  he  taught;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord."    Amen. 


Vllln  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  57 

Study  VIII.— C&e  (Gospel  ts  €jcteaUeU  to  tfce  <3zxitilz& 

First  Day  :     Peter  at  Lydda  and  Joppa 

While  Paul  sojourned  at  Tarsus,  the  Church  was  prepared  for 
his  labors  by  a  step  of  the  greatest  importance.  That  step  was  the 
extension  of  the  Gospel  to  the  Gentiles,  and  was  due  to  the  work 
of  Peter  while  engaged  in  a  preaching  tour  of  Palestine. 

1.  Read  Acts  9:32-43. 

2.  The   phrase   "throughout   all   quarters"    (or   "parts")    seems   to 

indicate  that  Peter  had  been  traveling  about,  in  order  to  preach 
and  to  strengthen  the  churches.  When  Paul  visited  Jerusalem 
a  little  before  this  time,  how  many  of  the  apostles  did  he  find 
in  the  city?    See  Gal.  1  :i8  and  19.    Where  were  the  others? 

3.  Locate  Lydda  on  your  outline  map,  and  mark  it  with  a  cross, 

for  there  were  "saints"  at  Lydda. 

4.  ^Eneas   (Eneas)  is  a  Greek  name.     Probably  this  ^Eneas  was  a 

Greek  Jew. 

5.  Sharon,  not  indicated  on  the  map,  was  a  fertile  plain  lying  between 

Joppa  and  Csesarea  along  the  sea. 

6.  Locate  and  mark  Joppa  on  your  map. 

7.  Verse  36:     The  woman  named  in  this  verse  seems  to  have  been 

a  Greek-speaking  Jewess.  Her  Greek  name  Dorcas  (gazelle)  is 
a  translation  of  her  Hebrew  name  Tabitha  (gazelle). 

8.  The  fact  that  Peter  lodged  in  the  house  of  a  tanner  (verse  43) 

is  significant.    The  trade  of  tanning  was  an  abomination  to  the 

Jews.     Peter  sets  aside  this  prejudice  to  lodge   with   Simon. 

It  was  no  great  step  to  go  next  into  the  home  of  the  Gentile 

Cornelius. 
Lesson  Thought:    Little  did  Peter  know,  when  he  went  out  on 
his  preaching  tour,  that  in  the  providence  of  God  he  would  be  the 
means  of  extending  the  Gospel  to  the  Gentiles,  and  that  this  step 
would  prepare  the  Church  for  the  still  greater  labors  of  St.  Paul. 


58  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  VIII  .2 

Study  VIII.— Cfcc  Gospel  is  (E^tenoco  to  ttje  (ScnttUs 
Second  Day:    Peter  and  the  Gentile  Cornelius 

There  was  in  Caesarea  a  devout  Roman  centurion  named  Cornelius, 
who  was  seeking  the  favor  of  God.  By  means  of  a  vision  Cornelius 
was  instructed  to  send  messengers  to  Joppa  for  Simon  Peter,  who 
should  tell  him  what  he  ought  to  do.  While  the  messengers  of  the 
centurion  were  on  their  way  to  Joppa,  Peter  was  made  ready  for 
his  visit  to  Cornelius  by  a  special  revelation  that  taught  him  to  set 
aside  his  Jewish  scruples. 

1.  The  vision  of  Cornelius:   Read  Acts  10:1-8. 

2.  What  is  the  character  of  the  centurions  mentioned  in  the  New 

Testament?    See  Matt.  8:5;  Luke  23:47;  Acts  27:1-3. 

3.  Cornelius  was  probably  a  proselyte.     He  attended  the  synagogue 

services,  but  was  not  circumcised,  nor  had  he  adopted  the 
peculiar  ceremonial  rules  of  the  Jews. 

4.  Many  Gentiles  had  become  dissatisfied  with  their  religion.  Heathen 

worship  was  not  only  superstitious,  but  also  at  times,  and  in 
some  places,  grossly  immoral.  The  comparatively  pure  worship 
of  the  Jews  was  attractive  to  many  thoughtful  Gentiles,  who 
as  proselytes    (or  "comers")   attended  the  synagogues. 

5.  The  vision  of  Peter:    Read  Acts  10:9-18. 

6.  The  Jews   felt  that  physical  contact  with  the  Gentiles   resulted 

in  moral  contamination.     To  enter  the  house  of  a  Gentile,  to 

eat  with  him,  or  to  have  any  social  relations  with  him,  rendered 

a  Jew   ceremonially  unfit   for   worship.     A   special   revelation, 

therefore,  was  necessary  to  enable  Peter  to  set  aside  his  Jewish 

prejudices  and  go  to  the  home  of  the  Roman  centurion. 

Prayer:     "Speak,  Lord,  for  Thy  servant  heareth.     Grant  us  ears 

to  hear,  eyes  to  see,  wills  to  obey,  hearts  to  love ;  then  declare  what 

Thou  wilt,  reveal  what  Thou  wilt,  command  what  Thou  wilt,  demand 

what  Thou  wilt."    Amen. 


VIII  :3  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.   Paul  59 

Study  VIIL— Cjje  Gospel  ia  (E^tenUeU  to  t&e  (Gentiles: 
Third  Day:     Peter  and  the  Gentile  Cornelius  (Con- 
tinued) 

When  the  messengers  of  Cornelius  came  to  Joppa,  Peter  readily 
consented  to  accompany  them  back  to  Csesarea.  As  soon  as  he  had 
arrived  at  Cassarea,  Cornelius  made  known  to  him  his  vision,  and 
begged  him  to  declare  fully  the  will  of  God. 

1.  Read  Acts  10:19-33. 

2.  What   have   you   inferred   concerning   the   personal    influence    of 

Cornelius?     See  verses   7  and  24. 

3.  Why  was  it  an  "unlawful  thing"  for  a  Jew  to  keep  company  with 

a  man  of  another  nation? 

4.  Do  you  think  that  Peter  knew  why  he  had  been  sent  to  visit 

Cornelius? 

5.  Has  the  Gospel  been  preached  as  yet  to  the  Gentiles? 

In  view  of  the  subject  of  to-day's  lesson  and  that  of  to-morrow, 
consider  briefly  the  standpoint  of  the  Jewish  Christian :  The  Jews 
were  the  chosen  people  of  God;  to  them  God  had  revealed  Himself 
through  prophets  and  holy  men  of  old ;  to  them  Jesus,  the  Messiah, 
was  sent.  The  Jews  were  bidden  to  keep  themselves  pure  from 
Gentile  defilements.  Proud  of  the  favor  of  God  in  the  past,  and 
proud  of  their  superiority  to  the  despised  Gentiles,  the  Jewish 
Christians  looked  upon  the  Christian  Church  as  the  consummation 
of  the  Jewish  Church.  The  first  Christians  were  all  Jews ;  what 
more  natural  than  for  them  to  think  that  a  Gentile,  to  become  a 
Christian,  must  first  become  a  Jew,  be  circumcised,  and  keep  all 
the  Law  of  Moses?  They  were  slow  to  see  that  the  Gospel  was 
for  all,  without  the  trammels  of  the  Mosaic  Law.  Peter  was  taught 
this  truth  by  a  special  revelation ;  yet  the  remaining  apostles  were 
reluctant  to  accept  it,  and  a  strong  party  soon  formed  of  those  who 
believed  in  Christianity  for  Jews  only,  or  for  Gentiles  who  had 
become  Jews  in  all  outward  respects.  This  latter  party  bitterly 
opposed  Paul  in  his  work  of  extending  the  Church  to  the  Gentiles. 


60  Studies  in   the  Life  of  St.   Paul  VIII:4 

Study  VIII.— Cbc  45ofipcl  ia  Cjctcnlirti  to  tbe  Gentiles 
Fourth  Day  :     Cornelius  and  His  Household  Are  Con- 
verted 

As  soon  as  Peter  had  heard  the  words  of  Cornelius,  he  uttered  a 
momentous  saying  which  clearly  indicated  that  he  for  the  first 
time  saw  the  scope  of  the  plan  of  salvation :  "Of  a  truth  I  perceive 
that  God  is  no  respecter  of  persons,  but  in  every  nation  he  that 
feareth  him,  and  worketh  righteousness,  is  accepted  with  him." 
Peter  then  preached  a  brief  sermon,  after  which  the  Holy  Spirit 
descended  with  power  upon  all  present, 
i.  Read  Acts  10:34-48. 

2.  Why  was  it  important  that  the  recognition  of  the  right  of  the 

Gentiles  to  salvation  should  come  first  from  Peter? 

3.  Verses  44-46 :     The  Pentecost  of  Acts,  chapter  2,  was  a  Jewish 

Pentecost.     This  is  a  Gentile   Pentecost,  accompanied,  like  its 
great  predecessor,  with  a  gift  of  tongues. 

4.  In  the  Old  Testament  the  promise  was  made  that  Salvation  should 

come  to  the  Gentiles : 

(a)  At  the  time  of  the  call  of  Abraham:  Genesis  12:3. 

(b)  In  the  time  of  Isaiah:    Isaiah  52:10. 

(c)  By  the  prophet  Zephaniah :    Zeph.  2:11. 

In  the  New  Testament  similar  promises  are  found : 

(d)  In  the  words  of  Simeon:  Luke  2:32. 

(e)  The  words  of  Jesus:     John  10:16. 

5.  How  do  you  suppose  Peter  spent  the  time  while  he  tarried  in  the 

house  of  Cornelius? 
Prayer:    "O  Lord,  grant  all  who  contend  for  the  faith,  never  to 
injure   it   by  clamor   and    impatience;    but,    speaking   Thy   precious 
truth  in  love,  so  to  present  it  that  it  may  be  loved,  and  that  men 
may  see  in  it  Thy  goodness  and  beauty."    Amen. 


VIII  :s  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  61 

Study  VIII— CJ)e  (S5ospel  is  ©ptenUeU  to  tlje  (Scuttles 

Fifth  Day  :     Peter  Criticised  for  Having  Eaten  With 

Gentiles 

Before  Peter  returned  from  Caesarea,  it  became  known  in  Jerusa- 
lem that  he  had  not  only  been  associating  with  Gentiles,  but  had  actu- 
ally eaten  with  them.  On  his  arrival  at  Jerusalem  those  Jewish 
Christians  who  were  most  zealous  for  the  ceremonial  law  criticised 
him  for  his  conduct;  to  justify  himself,  therefore,  Peter  rehearsed 
the  whole  story  from  the  beginning. 

i.  Read  Acts  n  :i-i8. 

2.  Verse  2 :    "They  of  the  circumcision."    Already  the  Jewish  Chris- 

tians had  begun  to  divide  into  a  conservative  and  a  liberal  party. 
The  conservative  party — they  of  the  circumcision — while  adopt- 
ing Christianity,  still  clung  tenaciously  to  the  ritual  and  cere- 
monial laws  of  Judaism.  The  liberal  party,  consisting  chiefly  of 
Greek  Jews,  were  less  tenacious  of  those  laws,  and  were  more 
ready  to  recognize  the  claims  of  the  Gentiles. 

3.  Verse  18:     The  conservative  party  was  silenced  for  a  time,  but 

before  long  they  were  at  work  again,  trying  to  prevent  the  free 
extension  of  the  Gospel  to  the  Gentiles.     They  held  that  all 
Gentiles,   in  order  to  embrace  Christianity,   must  first  become 
Jews.     This  party  bitterly  opposed  the  Apostle  Paul,  and  tried 
repeatedly  to  kill  him,  as  will  be  learned  in  later  lessons. 
Thought  for  the  Day:     Do  you  ever  think  what  a  virtue  it  is 
to  be  free  from  prejudice  in  religious  matters?    Men  differ  honestly 
and  conscientiously  regarding  religious  rites,  ceremonies,  and  doc- 
trines.    Do  you  have  charity  enough  to  regard  those  men  who  do 
not  belong  to  your  own  church  or  creed  as  your  Christian  brethren? 


62  Studies  in   the  Life  of  St.  Paul  VIII  :6 


Study  VIII. — C|)c  0o0pcl  is  <£):tratjcto  to  tlje  (3tntilt* 
Sixth   Day:     The  Gospel  Is  Preached  to  Greeks  at 

Antioch 

Through  the  preaching  of  Peter  the  conversion  of  the  Roman 
centurion  took  place  and  prepared  the  apostles  at  Jerusalem  for 
the  extension  of  the  Gospel  to  the  Gentiles.  Meanwhile,  those  Chris- 
tians who  were  scattered  abroad  by  persecution  "went  everywhere 
preaching  the  word."  Among  these  men  were  some  Greek  Jews  who 
in  Antioch  preached  to  Greeks  and  brought  about  their  conversion. 
On  learning  of  this,  the  apostles  sent  Barnabas  to  Antioch.  Barnabas 
was  greatly  pleased  with  the  work  of  the  Greek  Jews,  and  realizing 
that  Paul  was  the  man  above  all  others  fitted  by  birth  and  training 
for  such  a  field,  brought  him  from  Tarsus  to  Antioch. 
i.  Read  Acts  11:19-26. 

2.  Mark  with  a  cross  on  your  outline   map  Phcenicia    (Phenice), 

Cyprus,  and  Antioch. 

3.  Verse  20:     In  this  verse  the  R.V.  gives  "Greeks,"  which  is  sup- 

ported by  the  best  MSS.  The  A.V.  has  "Grecians,"  i.  e.,  "Greek 
Jews,"  which  does  not  make  good  sense  when  compared  with 
the  latter  part  of  verse  19. 

4.  Antioch   was   one   of   the   most   important   cities    of   the    Roman 

Empire.  According  to  Josephus,  only  Rome  and  Alexandria 
took  precedence  of  it. 

5.  Paul  probably  came  to  Antioch  in  44  a.d. 

6.  Verse  25:     Why  did  Barnabas  think  of  Paul  at  this  time  and 

choose  him  for  this  work? 

7.  Before  the  name  "Christian"  was  used,  what  names  were  given 

to  the  members  of  the  new  Church?  See  Acts  5  114;  9:26;  9:32. 
Each  of  the  three  world-nations  contributed  to  the  name  "Chris- 
tian": From  the  language  of  the  Jews  came  the  word  Messiah, 
which  means  "Anointed":  the  Greek  word  used  to  translate  this  is 
XpiaroS  {Christos),  Christ,  the  "Anointed  One";  to  this  was  added 
an  ending  -lavoS  after  the  Roman  fashion;  for  the  Romans  often 
formed  party  names  by  aading  -ianus  to  the  names  of  leaders ;  as, 
Pompeiani,  "followers  of  Pompey,"  Casariani,  "followers  of  Caesar," 
etc.  The  Christiani,  or  "Christians,"  are  therefore  the  "followers 
of  Christ." 


VIII 7  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  63 

Study  VIII.— We  0ocpel  ia  detente*  to  tbe  <SzxitiU& 
Seventh  Day:    Barnabas  and  Paul  Visit  Jerusalem 

While  Barnabas  and  Paul  were  working  earnestly  among  the 
Gentiles  at  Antioch,  a  famine  broke  out  in  Judea.  With  true  Chris- 
tian generosity  and  charity  the  Church  at  Antioch  determined  to 
send  relief  to  their  brethren  at  Jerusalem.  Paul  and  Barnabas 
were  dispatched  upon  this  errand,  and  after  no  great  time  returned 
to  Antioch. 

1.  Read  Acts  11:27-30. 

2.  This  famine  is  supposed  to  have  taken  place  in  45  a.d. 

3.  Read  Acts  12:25. 

4.  The  first  twenty-four  verses  of  chapter   12  are  not  included  in 

these  studies.  Verses  1  and  2  contain  the  statement  that 
James,  the  brother  of  John,  was  put  to  death  by  Herod.  It  is 
narrated  also  that  Peter,  imprisoned  by  Herod,  made  his  escape 
by  Divine  help  (verses  3-19).  The  remainder  of  the  chapter 
is  taken  up  with  an  account  of  the  death  of  Herod  (44  a.d.). 
It  must  not  be  thought  because  the  account  of  the  death  of 
Herod  intervenes  between  the  account  of  the  journey  of  Paul 
and  Barnabas  to  Jerusalem  and  the  account  of  their  return  to 
Antioch,  that  they  were  necessarily  in  Jerusalem  in  44  a.d. 

5.  How  was  John  Mark  related  to  Barnabas?    See  Col.  4:10. 
Prayer:     "O   God,   who   hast   ordained  that   whatever   is   to  be 

desired,  should  be  sought  by  labor,  and  who,  by  Thy  blessing,  bring- 
est  honest  labor  to  good  effect;  look  with  mercy  on  my  studies  and 
endeavors.  Grant  me  calmness  of  mind  and  steadiness  of  purpose, 
that  I  may  so  do  Thy  will  in  this  short  life,  as  to  obtain  happiness 
in  the  world  to  come,  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord." 
Amen. 


PART  IV 

Paul's  First  Missionary  Journey 

Study  IX. — Missions  in  Cyprus,  Perga,  and  Pisidian  Antioch 
Study    X. — Missions  in  Iconium,  Derbe,  and  Lystra :    The  Re- 
turn to  Antioch  in  Syria 
Study  XL — A  Crisis :    Must  Gentile  Christians  Keep  the  Mosaic 
Law? 


IX:  i  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.   Paul  67 

Study  IX.— ffiission&  in  Cyprus,  JJerga,  an*  JJiatTrian  &nttoc|) 

First  Day:     Barnabas  and  Paul  Chosen  for  Mission- 
ary Work:    They  Go  to  Cyprus 

Antioch  was  the  first  city  in  which  Gentiles  were  converted  in 
any  considerable  numbers ;  it  was  a  city  also  in  which  Jewish  con- 
servatism and  exclusiveness  were  far  less  marked  than  in  Jerusalem. 
Hence  Antioch,  rather  than  Jerusalem,  became  the  headquarters 
for  missionary  work  among  the  Gentiles. 

Leaving  Antioch,  Barnabas  and  Paul  went  first  to  the  island  of 
Cyprus. 

1.  Read  Acts  13:1-3. 

2.  Verse  2 :    Did  Paul  know  before  this  time  that  he  was  to  preach 

among  the  Gentiles? 

3.  It  took  great  courage  and   faith  on  the  part  of  Barnabas   and 

Paul  to  go  on  this  mission  to  Gentile  lands.  As  Jews  they 
would  be  obliged  to  meet  the  contempt  which  Gentiles  felt 
toward  Jews ;  as  Christians  they  would  be  obliged  to  incur  the 
hatred  which  the  unbelieving  Jews  extended  to  all  who  adopted 
the  new  religion. 

4.  How  was  Paul  specially  fitted  for  his  work  as  a  missionary  in 

view  of  the  following  qualifications : 

(a)  His  training  as  a  Rabbi? 

(b)  His  knowledge  of  Hebrew,  Aramaic,  and  Greek? 

(c)  His  Roman  citizenship? 

(d)  His  trade? 

5.  Read  Acts  13  '.4  and  5. 

6.  Locate  Seleucia,  Cyprus,  and   Salamis. 

7.  Had  the  Gospel  been  preached  in  Cyprus  before  this  time?     See 

Acts  11  :i(p. 

8.  Mark  Salamis  with  a  cross  on  your  outline  map. 

9.  What   relationship  existed  between   Barnabas   and  John?     Read 

first,  Acts  12:25,  then  Colossians  4:10. 
Thought  for  the  Day  :  As  the  disciples  earnestly  sought  God's 
will,  the  Holy  Ghost  directed  them  to  take  up  a  special  work  (verse 
2).  If  you  will  sincerely  and  honestly  seek  to  help  the  spread  of 
God's  Kingdom,  and  will  put  yourself  in  His  hands  to  be  used  as  He 
sees  fit,  you  will  be  startled  and  amazed  at  the  many  opportunities 
you  will  have  for  service. 


68  Studies  in   the  Life  of  St.   Paul  IX  .2 

Study  IX.—  itttdfiionfl  in  Cppruci,  JJcrjra,  anU  ptfiitotan  &nttocb 

Second  Day  :     Paul  and  Barnabas  at  Paphos  :     Paul 
and  elymas  the  sorcerer 

Leaving  Salamis,  Barnabas  and  Paul  journeyed  through  Cyprus 
until  they  reached  Paphos,  on  the  western  coast.  Here  a  sorcerer 
named  Elymas  sought,  from  selfish  reasons,  to  oppose  the  work  of 
the  apostles.  At  the  command  of  Paul,  Elymas  was  smitten  with 
blindness. 

1.  Read  Acts  13  :6-i2. 

2.  Paphos  was  the  seat  of  the  worship  of  Aphrodite;  it  was  also  the 

residence  of  the  Roman  proconsul  of  Cyprus. 

3.  Why  did  the  proconsul  (or  "deputy,"  as  he  is  called  in  the  A.V.), 

if  he  was  "a  man  of  understanding,"  have  with  him  the  sorcerer 
and  false  prophet  Bar-jesus?  Does  the  latter  part  of  verse  7 
throw  any  light  on  this  point? 

4.  What  motive  had  Elymas  in  opposing  Barnabas  and  Saul? 

5.  Verse  9:     Beginning  with  this  verse,  Luke  uses  the  name  Paul 

instead  of  Saul  throughout  the  remainder  of  Acts.  What  reason 
can  you  assign  for  this  change? 

6.  This  is  .he  first  passage  In  which  Paul  speaks  at  length ;  he  now 

comes  to  the  front  as  a  leader,  and  takes  the  initiative  against 
Elymas ;  his  rapidity  of  action  is  characteristic.  Henceforth  he 
occupies  the  nrst  place  in  the  narrative,  while  Barnabas  is 
secondary. 

7.  Mark  Paphos  on  your  map  with  a  cross. 

Prayer:  "O  Lord,  give  us  grace  never  to  parley  with  temptation, 
never  to  tamper  with  conscience;  never  to  spare  the  right  eye,  or 
hand,  or  foot  that  is  a  snare  to  us ;  never  to  lose  our  souls,  though 
in  exchange  we  should  gain  the  whole  world."    Amen. 


IX  :3  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  69 

Study  IX.— ^lififitoafi  in  Cppntei,  J)erg;a,  antf  JJisiiiian  &nttocf) 

Third  Day:     Paul  Goes  from  Cyprus  to  Antioch  in 

Pisidia 

On  leaving  Cyprus,  Paul  and  his  company  sailed  to  the  southern 
coast  of  Asia  Minor.  When  they  reached  Perga  in  Pamphylia, 
John  Mark  left  them.  Paul  and  Barnabas  then  proceeded  through 
Pamphylia  to  Antioch  of  Pisidia,  where  Paul,  as  was  his  custom, 
went  into  the  synagogue  of  the  Jews  upon  the  Sabbath  day. 

1.  Read  Acts  13:13-15. 

2.  Notice  in  verse  13  that  Paul  is  now  recognized  as  leader.     Before 

this  time  Luke  has  always  spoken  of  them  as  "Barnabas  and 
Saul."    Henceforth  it  is  "Paul  and  Barnabas." 

3.  Perga  was  an  unimportant  city  of  Pamphylia,  about  eight  miles 

from  the  sea.    Locate  Perga  upon  the  map. 

4.  At  Perga,  John  Mark  left  the  apostles  and  returned  home.     His 

reasons  for  leaving  are  not  known.  He  may  have  been  dis- 
pleased because  Paul  had  supplanted  Barnabas  as  leader ;  he 
may  have  feared  the  dangers  lying  before  them  in  Pamphylia 
and  Pisidia — the  turbulent  streams,  rugged  mountains,  rough 
roads,  fierce  brigands,  and  wild,  rude  peoples  speaking  strange 
dialects. 

5.  Antioch  was  an  important  city  for  missionary  work;  it  was  the 

center  of  a  regio,  or  subdivision,  of  the  province  of  Galatia. 

6.  Paul  enters  the   synagogue  on  the   Sabbath  day  and  takes  part 

in  the  worship.  The  main  features  of  the  worship  of  the  syna- 
gogue are  the  following: 

(a)  Prayers  and  opening  ritual. 

(b)  Reading  from  the  Scriptures: 

1.  The  "First  Lesson,"  from  the  Law  (Genesis,  Exodus, 
Leviticus,  Numbers,  and  Deuteronomy). 

2.  The  "Second  Lesson,"  from  the  Prophets  (Joshua, 
Judges,  Ruth,  1  and  2  Samuel,  1  and  2  Kings,  Isaiah, 
Jeremiah,  Ezekiel,  and  the  twelve  minor  prophets). 

(c)  An  address  or  sermon. 

There  was  no  regular  preacher.  After  the  reading  of  the  Scrip- 
tures, learned  men  or  strangers  who  chanced  to  be  present  would, 
at  the  request  of  the  officers  of  the  synagogue,  address  the  congrega- 
tion.    Read  Luke  4:14-21. 


yo  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  ix.4 

Study  IX. — iHifidiond  in  Cppru0,  Jkrffa,  anto  {JtsiTiian  ftntiocl) 
Fourth  Day:     Paul's  Sermon  at  Antioch  in  Pisidia 

At  the  request  of  the  synagogue  officers,  Paul  delivered  an  ad- 
dress or  sermon  in  the  synagogue  of  Antioch  to  a  congregation 
composed  of  Jews  and  Gentiles.  To-day's  lesson  is  a  study  of  the 
fust  two  parts  of  Paul's  sermon. 

i.  Read  Acts  13:16-25. 

2.  It  should  be  remembered  that  in  this,  as  in  all  the  speeches  and 

addresses  of  the  book  of  Acts,  Luke  gives  only  an  epitome  of 
the  words  of  the  speakers. 

3.  Verse  16:    "Beckoning  with  the  hand."     Paul's  gestures  are  sev- 

eral times  alluded  to:    See  Acts  21:40;  26:1. 

4.  In  what  language  did  Paul  deliver  this  address? 

5.  In  verse  16,  who  are  those  whom  Paul  designates  as  "ye  that 

fear  God"? 

6.  Verses  16-25  contain  a  skilful  abridgment  of  Jewish  history  from 

the  call  of  Abraham  to  the  ministry  of  John  the  Baptist.    What 
sermons  have  you  studied  already  that  begin  in  the  same  way? 

7.  Paul's  sermon  consists  of  four  parts : 

I.  A  Historical  Introduction — From  Abraham  to  David. 

II.  The  Messiah  is  Jesus. 

III.  The  Death  and  Resurrection  of  Jesus. 

IV.  Salvation  by  faith  in  Jesus  Christ. 

8.  The  verses   in   to-day's  lesson   constitute  the  first  two  parts  of 

Paul's  sermon.  Write  the  four  heads  of  his  sermon  in  your  note- 
book and  designate  the  verses  that  belong  to  each  part. 

9.  Mark  Antioch   (in  Pisidia)  with  a  cross  on  your  outline  map. 

Thought  for  To-day:  The  whole  Old  Testament  looks  forward 
to  Jesus  Christ ;  the  whole  New  Testament  looks  back  upon  Him. 
Yet  the  writers  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament  do  not  spend  their 
thought  and  effort  alone  in  mere  contemplation  of  His  character 
and  in  mere  worship  of  His  glory;  they  both  alike  agree  in  pro- 
claiming that  His  salvation  is  for  all  men  in  every  land. 


IX  :5  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  yi 

Study  IX. — Jftussions  in  Cpprtta,  JJerga,  anU  JJtstliiatt  SlnttocI) 

Fifth  Day:     Paul's  Sermon  at    Antioch    in    Pisidia 

(Continued) 

To-day's  lesson  is  the  study  of  the  third  part  of  Paul's  sermon 
in  the  synagogue  of  Pisidian  Antioch.    The  topic  is  ''The  Death  and 
Resurrection  of  Jesus." 
i.  Read  Acts  13:26-37. 

2.  As  may  be  learned  from  verse  26,   what  two  classes  of  people 

were  in  the  synagogue  congregation? 

3.  Verse  27:    At  what  point  in  the   synagogue   services   were  the 

"prophets"  read?     See  page  69,  section  6. 

4.  Verse  31:     For  how  many  days  after  His  resurrection  was  Christ 

seen?     Acts  1 13. 

5.  Verse  33:    What  verse  of  the  second  Psalm  is  here  quoted? 

6.  Verse   35 :     The   quotation   is   taken   from   the   sixteenth    Psalm. 

Which  verse? 

7.  At  the  very  center  of  the  teaching  of  the  apostles  is  the  doctrine 

of  the  resurrection  of  Christ.     Paul  was  converted  six  years 

after  the  resurrection  of  Christ ;  he  could,  therefore,  hear  from 

the  lips  of  eyewitnesses  the  story  of  Christ's  liberation  from  the 

tomb;   he   was   a  well-trained,   keen-witted   Rabbi.     It   is   not 

likely  that  any  fabricated  or  false  account  would  have  imposed 

upon  Paul. 

St.   Paul  on  the  Resurrection:     "Now  if  Christ  be  preached 

that  he  rose  from  the  dead,  how  say  some  among  you  that  there 

is  no  resurrection  of  the  dead?     But  if  there  be  no  resurrection  of 

the  dead,  then  Christ  is  not  risen:  and  if  Christ  be  not  risen,  then 

is  our  preaching  vain,  and  your  faith  is  also  vain.     Yea,  and  we 

are  found  false  witnesses  of  God ;  because  we  have  testified  of  God 

that  he  raised  up  Christ ;  whom  he  raised  not  up,  if  so  be  that  the 

dead  rise  not." — First  Epistle  to  the  Corinthians  15:12-15. 


7-  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  i.\:<> 

Study  IX.— ^ttisciona  in  Cyprus,  JJrrtra,  auo  JhGt&iaa  ftnttoclj 

Sixth  Day  :     Paul's  Sermon    at    Antiocji  ix    Pisidia 

(Continued) 

Paul  sums  up  his  argument  with  the  statement  that  men  are 
justified  or  brought  into  right  relations  with  God,  not  by  doing 
the  works  of  the  Jewish  Law,  but  by  faith  in  Jesus  Christ.  In  clos- 
ing, the  apostle  solemnly  warns  his  hearers  not  to  despise  this  offer 
of  divine  grace. 

1.  Read  Acts  13:38-43. 

2.  Verse  39:    This  verse  contains  the  germ  of  Paul's  later  preaching 

and  teaching:  Man  had  sought  righteousness  by  obeying  the 
precepts  of  the  Mosaic  Law ;  but  he  could  not,  by  mere  con- 
formity to  rules  and  laws,  measure  up  to  the  standard  required 
of  him — he  was  too  imperfect,  too  much  inclined  toward  sin. 
Belief  in  Christ,  and  acceptance  of  His  righteousness,  would 
alone  justify  man — that  is,  make  him  righteous  in  the  sight 
of  God. 

3.  Verse  41 :    The  quotation  is  from  Habakkuk,  chapter  1.     Locate 

the  verse. 

4.  Verse  42 :    Certain  words  of  this  verse,  as  given  in  the  A.V.,  are 

not  found  in  the  best  Greek  manuscripts.  In  the  R.V.  the  verse 
runs :  "And  as  they  went  out,  they  besought  that  these  words 
might  be  spoken  to  them  the  next  Sabbath." 

5.  Verse  43:    The  "religious  proselytes"  were  probably  native  Pisid- 

ians. 

Faith  and  the  Law:  "We  who  are  Jews  by  nature,  and  not 
sinners  of  the  Gentiles,  knowing  that  a  man  is  not  justified  by  the 
works  of  the  law,  but  by  the  faith  of  Jesus  Christ,  even  we  have 
believed  in  Jesus  Christ,  that  we  might  be  justified  by  the  faith  of 
Christ,  and  not  by  the  works  of  the  law :  for  by  the  works  of  the 
law  shall  no  flesh  be  justified." — St.  Paul,  Epistle  to  the  Galatians 
2:15  and  16. 


IX  7  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  J$ 

I  III     M   IIIIB^^    ■■■■lllllll     ^MIMIIIMB^^^^MM^^MM^^MMTTWM-Mrr^W-lW-riM-MBm-MriTTrT-WTIJIM-MW 1 

Study  IX. — ifttsstons  in  Cpprtta,  per^a,  ana  JJisiUian  &ntiori) 
Seventh  Day:     The  Spread  of  the  Gospel  in  Pisidia 

On  the  Sabbath  following  Paul's  sermon  in  the  synagogue  at 
Antioch,  a  vast  congregation  of  Gentiles  gathered  to  hear  the  apos- 
tles. The  Jews,  since  they  had  been  unable  to  attract  such  multitudes 
to  the  synagogue,  were  filled  with  envy;  they  opposed  the  work  of 
the  apostles  and  sought,  by  blasphemous  words,  to  overthrow  their 
teaching.  Thereupon  the  apostles  turned  to  the  Gentiles,  and  worked 
among  them  with  such  success  that  the  whole  region  heard  the 
Gospel. 

i.  Read  Acts  13  144-49. 

2.  What  statements  of  the  apostles  did  the  Jews  contradict   (verse 

45)? 

3.  Verse  46:   Why  was  it  necessary  that  the  Word  of  God  should  be 

preached  to  the  Jews  first? 

4.  Verse  47:    Locate  this  quotation,  which  may  be  found  in  Isaiah, 

chapter  49. 

5.  Verse  48:    The  phrase,   "As  many  as  were  ordained  to  eternal 

life,"  seems  to  mean,  "as  many  as  had  disposed  themselves 
toward  eternal  life." 

6.  It  does  not  seem  that  the  stay  of  Paul  and  Barnabas  in  Antioch 

was  long,  yet  such  was  their  activity  and  such  the  spirit  of 
their  converts,  that  the  whole  region  speedily  heard  the  Gospel. 

7.  Note  the  use  of  the  word  region  in  verse  49.     It  has  a  specific 

meaning  here,  and  refers  to  that  portion  of  the  province  of  Gala- 
tia  in  which  Antioch  lay.  In  Acts  14:6  the  Lycaonian  region 
of  Galatia  is  mentioned. 

8.  Review    questions:      Since   leaving    Antioch    on    this    missionary 

journey  what  cities  has  Paul  visited?  What  important  inci- 
dents have  taken  place  in  connection  with  his  work  in  these 
cities  ? 


74  Studies    in    the    Life   of   St.    Paul  X:i 

Study  X. — ^lactone  in  iconium,  SDcrbe,  aitfj  ipctra :  ©be 

Ecturn  to  &ntiocj)  in  &prta 
First  Day:     Paul  and  Barnabas  Flee  to  Iconium 

So  successful  were  Paul  and  Barnabas  in  their  labors  at  Antioch 
that  the  unbelieving  Jews  were  rilled  with  envy  and  rage,  and  imme- 
diately undertook  a  vigorous  persecution  of  the  apostles.  To  escape 
this,  Paul  and  Barnabas  left  Antioch  and  fled  to  Iconium,  a  city 
on  the  borders  of  Lycaonia. 

1.  Read  Acts  13  :50-52. 

2.  Verse  50:    "The  devout  women  of  honorable  estate"  (R.V.)  were 

Gentile  proselytes ;  they  were  women  of  rank,  the  wives  of 
the  chief  men  of  the  city.  The  "chief  men  of  the  city"  were 
probably  the  Roman  authorities.  How  is  it  that  the  Jews  were 
able  to  get  the  help  of  these  men  and  women  against  the 
apostles  ? 

3.  In  the  verses   of   to-day's   lesson  the  apostles  obey   three   com- 

mands of  Christ : 

(a)  To  flee  from  persecution:    Matt.  10:23. 

(b)  To  shake  off  the  dust  of  the  feet  in  condemnation :    Matt. 
10:14. 

(c)  To  rejoice  in  persecution:    Matt.  5:11  and  12. 
Memory  Passage:    "We  glory  in  tribulations  also:  knowing  that 

tribulation  worketh  patience ;  and  patience,  experience ;  and  expe- 
rience, hope ;  and  hope  maketh  not  ashamed ;  because  the  love  of 
God  is  shed  abroad  in  our  hearts  by  the  Holy  Ghost  which  is  given 
unto  us." — St.  Paul,  Epistle  to  the  Romans  5  13-5. 

Prayer:  "Help  us  to  realize,  dear  Lord,  that  our  trials  and 
troubles  may  be  a  means  unto  us  for  gaining  strength  of  character; 
let  us  never  be  discouraged,  but  enable  us  to  trust  in  Thee.  Let 
our  light  affliction,  which  is  but  for  a  moment,  work  for  us  a  far 
more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory."    Amen. 


X:2  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  75 

Study  X.— f&is&itmn  in  ^conittm,  SDerbe,  anil  LpStca:  ©Ije 
Eettttn  ta  ftntiocj)  in  J§>prta 

Second  Day  :    The  Gospel  in  Iconium  :    The  Apostles 
Flee  into  Lycaonia. 

After  their  arrival  at  Iconium,  Paul  and  Barnabas  spoke  with 
such  effect  in  the  synagogue  of  the  city  that  a  multitude  of  Jews 
and  Greeks  believed;  but,  just  as  at  Antioch,  the  unbelieving  Jews 
stirred  up  the  Gentiles  against  the  apostles.  Paul  and  Barnabas 
then  fled  to  Lystra  and  Derbe,  cities  of  Lycaonia. 

1.  Read  Acts  14:1-7. 

2.  Locate  Iconium,  and  mark  it  with  a  cross  upon  your  outline  map. 

3.  Iconium  was  an  important  city  on  the  borders  of  Lycaonia,  near 

the  great  trade  route  stretching  from  Ephesus  to  the  Euphrates. 
The  situation  of  Iconium  made  it  an  especially  desirable  center 
for  missionary  work. 

4.  Verse  2:     The  unbelieving  Jews  stirred  up  such  of  the  Gentiles 

as  were  favorably  disposed  to  the  worship  of  the  synagogue, 
but  who  had  not  adopted  the  teachings  of  the  apostles. 

5.  Verse  4:    The  multitude  of  the  city  was  divided  into  a  Christian 

body  and  a  non-Christian  body.  Of  what  saying  of  Christ's  is 
this  the  fulfilment?     See  Luke  12:51-53. 

6.  Locate  Lystra  and  Derbe,  and  mark  them  with  crosses  on  your 

outline  map. 
Prayer:  "O  Lord,  give  us  more  charity,  more  self-denial,  more 
likeness  to  Thee.  Teach  us  to  sacrifice  our  comforts  to  others,  and 
our  likings  for  the  sake  of  doing  good.  Make  us  kindly  in  thought, 
gentle  in  word,  generous  in  deed.  Teach  us  that  it  is  better  to  give 
than  to  receive;  better  to  forget  ourselves  than  to  put  ourselves 
forward;  better  to  minister  than  to  be  ministered  unto.  And  unto 
Thee,  the  God  of  Love,  be  glory  and  praise  for  ever."    Amen. 


j6  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  x.3 

Study  X. — ^Htcctons  in  JJconium,  iDcrbe,  an*  Lpatta:  Cljc 
Hcturn  to  ftnttocl)  in  ^prta 

Third  Day:     Paul  and  Barnabas  Regarded  as  Gods  by 

the  lycaonians 

At  Lystra,  Paul  healed  a  cripple  who  had  been  lame  from  birth. 
This  miracle  so  astonished  the  Lycaonians  that  they  thought  Paul 
and  Barnabas  were  gods  in  the  guise  of  men. 

1.  Read  Acts  14:8-13. 

2.  Observe   how    minute   and   accurate   are   the    words   of  Luke    in 

describing  the  infirmity  of  the  cripple.     What  was  Luke's  pro- 
fession? 

3.  Why  did  Paul  think  that  the  cripple  had  faith  to  be  healed? 

4.  Verse  11:  The  Lycaonians  were  apparently  bi-lingual :  they  spoke 

both  their  native  Lycaonian  dialect  and  Greek.     In  their  aston- 
ishment at  Paul's  miracle  they  lapse  into  their  native  tongue. 

In  this  region  was  laid  the  scene  of  the  story  of  Philemon 
and  Baucis,  narrated  by  Ovid :     Once  on  a  time  Jupiter  and 
Mercury   came   down   to    earth   disguised    as    travelers.      They 
sought  entertainment  at  several  doors,  but  were  turned  away. 
Finally,  in  a  humble  cottage,  an  aged  pair,  Philemon  and  Bau- 
cis, from  their  scanty  store  set  forth  food  before  the  wayfarers. 
At  the  conclusion  of  the  meal  the  gods  revealed  themselves  tc 
the  pious  couple,  and  granted  them  long  life  as  guardians  of 
a  holy  temple.     Perhaps  the  men  of  Lycaonia  had  this  story 
in  mind  at  this  time. 
"In  ancient  art  Jupiter  was  always  represented  as  a  tall,  majestic 
and  benignant  figure,  while  Mercury  was  the  small,  swift  messenger 
of  the  father  of  gods  and  men."     From  verse  12,  therefore,  what 
do  you  infer  concerning  the  personal  appearance  of  Barnabas  and 
Paul? 


.  1 


X:4  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  JJ 

Study  X.— fissions  tit  ^contain,  SDerfce,  an*  Lpertra :  Clje 

Ecttttn  to  &ntiocI)  in  H>2>rta 

Fourth  Day:     Paul  and  Barnabas  Regarded  as  Gods 

by  the  lycaonians  ( continued ) 

When  the  apostles  heard  that  the  men  of  Lystra  were  about  to 
offer  sacrifice  to  them  as  gods,  they  rushed  among  them,  and  re- 
strained them  from  carrying  out  their  intention. 

1.  Read  Acts  14:14-18. 

2.  Verses  15-17:    These  verses,  in  all  probability,  contain  only  a  few 

of  the  things  said  by  Paul  and  Barnabas  at  this  time. 

3.  In  certain  of  these  early  addresses   of   Paul  may  be  found   the 

germs  of  many  ideas  which  he  afterward  expanded  more  fully. 
With  verse  16  compare  Acts  17  '.30,  a  verse  in  a  speech  delivered 
by  Paul  at  Athens. 

4.  Verse  17:    "He  left  not  himself  without  witness";  that  is,  among 

the  non-Jewish  nations.  To  them  He  had  spoken  through  the 
wonders  of  nature,  sending  them  the  fruits  of  the  earth  in  their 
season.  The  thought  of  verse  17  Paul  expands  in  his  Epistle 
to  the  Romans.    Read  Romans  1 :  18-21. 

5.  After  the  event  narrated  in  the  lessons  of  yesterday  and  to-day, 

Paul  and  Barnabas  seem  to  have  labored  successfully  in  Lystra. 
Among  the  converts  of  Paul  was  the  youthful  Timothy,  who 
afterward  became  his  faithful  companion  and  helper.  That  he  was 
a  convert  of  Paul's  preaching  seems  clear  from  1  Timothy  1 :2 ; 
that  he  was  converted  at  this  particular  time  seems  likely  from 
the  fact  that  he  is  spoken  of  as  being  already  a  disciple  at 
the  time  of  Paul's  second  visit  to  Lystra:  Acts  16:1.  For 
Timothy's  parentage,  see  Acts  16:1. 
Thought  for  To-day:  With  verse  17  of  to-day's  lesson  compare 
Romans  2:4.    Do  these  verses  apply  at  all  to  you? 


J%  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Fan!  x-.$ 

Study  X. — ^fitcmoncs  in  Jtontum,  SDcrbe,  anti  Lpstra :  CIjc 

Ecturn  to  ftnttocf)  in  &prta 

Fifth  Day:    The  Apostles  Driven  from  Lystra:  They 

Return  to  Pisidian  Antioch 

For  some  time  there  was  no  opposition  to  the  work  of  the  apostles 
at  Lystra.  After  a  while,  however,  certain  Jews  came  down  from 
Antioch  and  Iconium,  and  stirred  up  a  persecution  against  Paul 
and  Barnabas.  Paul  was  stoned.  The  apostles  then  left  Lystra, 
and  went  to  Derbe.  Later  they  returned  through  Lystra  and 
Iconium  to  Antioch  in  Pisidia. 

1.  Read  Acts  14:19-23. 

2.  Verses  19  and  20: 

(a)  The  Lycaonians  in  ancient  times  bore  the  reputation  of 
being  fickle :  Aristotle  says  they  were  "faithless."  Hence 
they  were  easily  induced  to  turn  against  the  apostles. 

(b)  Paul  alludes  to  this  stoning  in  one  of  his  Epistles:  See 
2  Cor.   11 125. 

(c)  Picture  to  yourself  the  scene:  Paul  bleeding  and  uncon- 
scious upon  the  ground,  with  the  disciples  standing  sorrow- 
fully about  him. 

(d)  Perhaps  Paul  stayed  overnight  in  the  house  of  Timothy's 
parents.  Do  you  suppose  that  Paul  recalled  at  this  time 
the  stoning  of  Stephen? 

3.  Verse  21 :    The  apostles  seem  to  have  spent  some  little  time  at 

Derbe.     The  return  journey  was  probably  made  rapidly,  per- 
haps even  secretly,  for  fear  of  the  Jews. 

4.  Verse  23 :   For  a  similar  action,  see  Acts  13  '.3.    For  what  purpose 

were  elders  ordained  in  every  city? 

Prayer  :  "O  holy  and  ever  blessed  Lord,  teach  us,  we  beseech 
Thee,  to  love  one  another,  to  exercise  forbearance  and  forgiveness 
toward  our  enemies ;  to  recompense  no  man  evil  for  evil,  but  to  be 
merciful  even  as  Thou,  our  Father  in  Heaven,  art  merciful ;  that  so 
we  may  continually  follow  after  Thee  in  all  our  doings,  and  be 
more  and  more  conformed  to  Thine  image  and  likeness."    Amen. 


X:6  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  79 

Study  X.— Jlififitonfi  in  ^conium,  £)erbe,  anU  Lpetra:  Cije 

Eetttrti  to  &nti0c|)  in  &j>ria 

Sixth  Day:     From  Pisidian  Antioch  to  Antioch  in 

Syria 

The  apostles  returned  from  Antioch  in  Pisidia  to  Perga  in  Pam- 
phylia,  then  went  overland  to  Attalia,  whence  they  sailed  for  Antioch 
in  Syria.  On  their  arrival  at  home  they  gathered  together  the 
Church,  and  told  them  all  that  God  had  wrought  through  them. 

1.  Read  Acts  14:24-28. 

2.  Did  the  apostles  preach  at  Perga  when  in  the  city  on  their  way 

inland?     Mark   Perga  with  a  cross. 

3.  When  Paul  and  Barnabas  came  to  Perga  the  first  time  they  came 

from  Cyprus  on  a  vessel  which  ascended  the  Cestrus  River 
as  far  as  Perga.  Now  on  the  return  journey  they  apparently 
fail  to  find  at  Perga  a  vessel  bound  for  Syria,  and  so  go  over- 
land to  Attalia,  16  miles  distant,  where  they  embark  for  Syria. 

4.  The  towns   of  Antioch  in   Pisidia,   Iconium,   Lystra,   and   Derbe 

were  all  included  in  the  Roman  province  of  Galatia.  To  the 
churches  of  these  towns  Paul  later  addressed  his  Epistle  to 
the  Galatians.  Certain  peculiarities  of  the  Galatians,  and  cer- 
tain features  of  Paul's  visit  among  them,  should  be  noted  at  this 
time. 

(a)  The  Galatians  heard  the  Gospel  readily,  but  were  soon 
turned  away  by  false  teachers.     See  Galatians  1 :6. 

(b)  This  fickleness  of  the  Galatian  character  has  already  been 
noticed  in  the  case  of  the  Lycaonians.  See  page  78,  sec- 
tion 2  (a). 

(c)  Paul  was  ill  while  in  Galatia:    Galatians  4:13  and  14. 

5.  "God  .   .    .  had   opened   the    door   of   faith   unto    the   Gentiles" 

(verse  27,  end).  Perhaps  Paul  himself  was  the  one  who  made 
use  of  the  figure  of  speech,  and  Luke  may  be  quoting  him.  Paul 
uses  a  similar  expression  in  one  of  his  letters :  1  Corinthians 
16:9. 
Memory  Passage:  Memorize  the  saying  of  Jesus  found  in  John 
10:9. 


S Indies  in  the  Life  of  Si.  J 'aid  X7 


Study  X. — iRtfiestcmtf  in  ionium,  £)frbe,  anU  Lpfitra:  ©be 

Ecturn  to  &nttod)  in  S>j>na 

Seventh  Day  :     Review  Lesson 

As  stated  in  the  lesson  of  yesterday,  when  the  apostles  had 
returned  to  Antioch  in  Syria,  they  called  together  the  Church,  and 
told  the  story  of  their  successful  missionary  tour  in  Cyprus  and 
Asia  Minor. 

1.  Without  referring  to  your  Bible  or  to  these  Studies,  write  in  your 

note-book  a  list  of  the  places  visited  by  Paul  on  this  first  mis- 
sionary journey. 

2.  What  were  the  chief  events  in  each  town  or  city? 

3.  What  important  doctrine  does   Paul   state   for  the   first   time — a 

doctrine  that  became  the  very  center  of  his  preaching? 
4..  What  difficulties  had  Paul  met  in  his  efforts  to  spread  the  Gospel 
among  the  Gentiles? 

5.  In  the  closing  years  of  his  life  Paul  still  remembered  this  journey 

as  one  of  great  hardship.     Read  2  Timothy  3:11. 

6.  Some  conclusions  that  Paul  may  have  reached  after  his  return 

from  this  first  missionary  tour : 

(a)  The  Jews  were  not  unwilling  to  listen  to  the  Gospel ;  but 
when  it  was  proposed  that  the  Gentiles  should  join  the 
Christian  Church  without  first  becoming  Jews,  they  re- 
belled. 

(b)  The  Gentiles  were  ready  for  the  Gospel,  and  received  it 
gladly. 

(c)  The  question  of  the  relation  of  the  Gentiles  to  the  Mosaic 
Law  was  one  that  would  have  to  be  settled  in  the  near 
future. 

(d)  Paul  must  have  begun  to  see  that  the  Law  had  served  its 
purpose  in  training  the  Jews,  and  was  now  a  useless  thing. 

Paul  on  the  Work  of  the  Law:  "Before  faith  came,  we  were 
kept  under  the  law,  shut  up  unto  the  faith  which  should  afterward 
be  revealed.  Wherefore  the  law  was  our  schoolmaster,  to  bring 
us  to  Christ,  that  we  might  be  justified  by  faith.  But  after  that 
faith  is  come  we  are  no  longer  under  a  schoolmaster.  For  ye  are 
all  children  of  God  by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus.  .  .  .  There  is  neither 
Jew  nor  Greek,  there  is  neither  bond  nor  free,  there  is  neither  male 
nor  female :  for  ye  are  all  one  in  Christ  Jesus." — Epistle  to  the 
Galatians  3  :23-28. 


XI:  i  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  81 

Study  XL— 91  Crisis:  JHttst  Gentile  Christians  Keep  t&e 

JHasaic  Lato  1 

First  Day:    Paul  Goes  to  Jerusalem  to  Ask  Freedom 

for  the  Gentiles. 

Thus  far  the  opposition  which  Paul  had  met  in  the  spread  of  the 
Gospel  came  from  the  unbelieving  Jews  and  from  Gentiles  who 
had  been  stirred  up  by  the  Jews.  Trouble  now  arose  within  the 
Church  itself:  certain  Christian  Jews  came  down  from  Jerusalem 
to  Antioch  and  began  to  teach  that  the  Gentiles  in  the  Church  must 
be  circumcised  and  keep  the  Mosaic  Law.  Paul  and  Barnabas,  with 
others,  went  to  Jerusalem  to  discuss  this  question  with  the  leaders 
of  the  Church. 
i.  Read  Acts  15:1-5. 

2.  Verse  1 :    The  men  from  Judea  were  not  officially  sent,  nor  were 

they  authorized  to  handle  this  matter.     See  Acts  15  124. 

3.  The  Jews  felt  that  they  were  contaminated  by  contact  with  the 

Gentiles.  The  Gentiles  did  not  purify  themselves  according  to 
the  ceremonial  law ;  they  ate  the  flesh  of  swine  and  other  food 
unclean  from  the  Jewish  point  of  view.  Consequently  the 
Jews  were  averse  to  sharing  with  them  the  Lord's  Supper  and 
associating  with  them  socially.  The  one  sign  and  test  of  a 
Jew  was  circumcision.  This  the  Jewish  extremists  determined 
to  force  on  Gentile  Christians. 

4.  Verse  3 :     Had   the   Gospel   been  preached   before  this   time   in 

Phoenicia?    See  Acts  11:19. 

5.  Verse  4 :    On  what  points  do  you  suppose  that  Paul  and  Barnabas 

would  lay  the  most  emphasis  in  this  review  of  their  work? 

6.  What  were  the  beliefs  and  practices  of  the  sect  of  the  Pharisees? 
Paul  the  Champion  of  the  Gentiles  :    Throughout  his  life  Paul 

fought  for  the  freedom  of  the  Gentiles  from  the  claims  of  the  Jewish 
Law.  His  writings  abound  in  powerful  arguments  on  this  matter. 
And  to  Paul,  more  than  anyone  else,  is  due  the  fact  that  the  Chris- 
tian Church  did  not  become  a  sect  of  Judaism.  Paul  settled  the 
question  forever:  a  few  years  after  his  death  it  ceased  to  be  an 
issue. 


82  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  XI  .2 

Study  XL — ft  Crista :  f&Lu&t  0entile  Christiana  fecep  t&e 

iHocaic  lato  ? 

Second  Day  :     The  Council  at   Jerusalem  :     Peter's 

Speech 

After  some  little  time  had  been  spent  in  private  conference  and 
informal  discussion,  the  men  from  Antioch  gathered  together  with 
the  apostles  and  elders  of  the  Jerusalem  Church  to  debate  the  ques- 
tion that  had  arisen.  After  considerable  discussion  of  a  noisy  char- 
acter, Peter  spoke  in  favor  of  freedom  for  the  Gentile  Christians, 
and  Barnabas  and  Paul  told  of  the  wonders  God  had  wrought 
through  them  among  the  Gentiles. 

1.  Read  Acts  15  :6-i2. 

2.  Verse  7 : 

(a)  To  what  event  does  Peter  refer  in  this  verse? 

(b)  How  long  before  this  had  the  event  taken  place? 

3.  Verses  8  and  9:     Has  Peter  used  this  argument  at  all  before  in 

the  book  of  Acts?    If  so,  where? 

4.  Verse  10:     What  does  Peter  mean  by  the  word  "yoke"?     Does 

he  refer  to  the  actual  laws  of  Moses — the  written  law,  or  to 
the  laws  compiled  and  added  by  the  scribes  and  Pharisees — the 
oral  law? 

5.  What  did  Jesus  say  about  the  oppression  of  the  Law?    See  Matt. 

23  -.2-4. 

6.  The  cases   of   conversion   among   the   Gentiles   which    Paul   and 

Barnabas   gave   were  concrete   examples  of  the   principle   laid 

down  by  Peter  in  verses  8  and  9. 
Salvation  the  Gift  of  God:  The  keynote  of  Peter's  speech  is 
salvation  by  the  grace  (or  favor)  of  God.  St.  Paul's  statement  of 
this  principle  is  in  Ephesians  2 14-8 :  "God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  for 
his  great  love  wherewith  he  loved  us,  even  when  we  were  dead  in 
sins,  hath  quickened  us  together  with  Christ  (by  grace  are  ye  saved) 
and  hath  raised  us  up  together,  and  made  us  sit  together  in  heavenly 
places  in  Christ  Jesus :  that  in  the  ages  to  come  he  might  show  the 
exceeding  riches  of  his  grace  in  his  kindness  toward  us  through 
Christ  Jesus.    For  by  grace  are  ye  saved  through  faith." 


XI  s  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  83 

Study  XL— &  Crista :  JHttat  (Gentile  C&risttanfi  Eeep  tfce 

JHofiiatc  Lato  ? 

Third  Day:    The  Council  (Continued)  :    The  Speech 

of  James 

The  course  of  the  debate  thus  far  may  be  summarized  as  follows : 
The  Judaizing  party  had  vehemently  argued  that  the  Gentiles  should 
be  circumcised  and  keep  the  Law ;  Peter  spoke  next  in  behalf  of  the 
Gentiles,  narrating  how  God  through  him  had  bestowed  the  Holy 
Spirit  on  the  Gentile  Cornelius  and  his  family;  last  of  all,  Paul  and 
Barnabas  told  in  detail  the  story  of  the  conversion  of  the  Gentiles  in 
Asia  Minor. 

Both  sides  of  the  question  had  now  been  presented.  Thereupon 
James,  the  brother  of  Jesus,  arose  and  proposed  a  fair  and  just 
compromise. 

1.  Read  Acts  15:13-21. 

2.  Verse  13 :    James  was  the  brother  of  Jesus  and  author  of  the 

Epistle  that  bears  his  name.  "A  sense  of  awe  clung  about  him 
and  all  he  said  and  did.  Clothed  with  a  mysterious  and  in- 
definable dignity  as  'the  brother  of  the  Lord,'  that  dignity  and 
mystery  were  enhanced  by  his  bearing,  dress,  manner  of  life, 
and  entire  appearance.  Tradition  represents  him  as  wearing  no 
wool,  but  clothed  in  fine  white  linen  from  head  to  foot.  It  is 
said  that  he  was  so  holy,  and  so  highly  esteemed  by  the  whole 
Jewish  people,  that  he  alone  was  allowed,  like  the  High  Priest, 
to  enter  the  Holy  Place ;  that  he  lived  a  celibate  and  ascetic  life ; 
and  that  he  spent  long  hours  alone  in  the  temple  praying  for 
the  people." — Canon  Farrar. 

3.  James  represents  the  conservative  side  of  the  council.    After  citing 

certain  prophecies  regarding  the  coming  of  the  Gentiles  to  the 
Lord,  he  proposes  a  fair  compromise. 

4.  Upon  certain  commandments  given  to  Noah,  the  Rabbis  had  built 

up  the  seven  so-called  "Noachian  Laws."  The  four  prohibitions 
of  James  in  verse  20  embody  three  or  possibly  four  of  these 
laws. 

5.  If  Jews  and  Gentiles  were  to  work  and  live  harmoniously  in  the 

same  Church  it  was  necessary  that  they  should  grant  one  an- 
other certain  concessions,  and  respect  one  another's  feelings. 
Thought  for  the  Day:    What  did  Jesus  say  of  those  who,  like 
James,  were  peacemakers  ?    Matt.  5  :g. 


E '|  Studies  in   the  Life   of  Si.   Paul  W  :  \ 

Study  XL — ft  Crima:  ittucrt  (0enttle  Cbrictianfi  keep  tl)e 

^ttoaatc  Latu  ? 

Fourth  Day  :    The  Decision  of  the  Council 

The  proposal  made  by  James,  that  the  Gentiles  be  asked  to  observe 
only   four   prohibitions   underlying   the   Mosaic   Law,   was   adopted. 
These  prohibitions  were  embodied  in  a  letter  drawn  up  by  the  council 
and  sent  to  the  Gentiles  of  Antioch,  Syria,  and  Cilicia. 
i.  Read  Acts  15  122-29. 

2.  Judas,   surnamed   Barsabas,   of  verse  22,   is  otherwise   unknown. 

Silas,  of  the  same  verse,  is  the  one  who  later  was  the  com- 
panion of  Paul  upon  his  second  missionary  journey. 

3.  It  is  evident  that  the  letter  was  written  in  Greek : 

(a)  The  persons  addressed  were  Gentiles. 

(b)  The  letter  has  the  form  usually  followed  by  Greek  writers : 
at  the  beginning  the  name  of  the  writer ;  then  that  of  the 
person  addressed,  followed  by  the  body  of  the  letter  proper ; 
at  the  end  a  farewell  salutation. 

4.  This  letter  is  one  of  the  earliest  epistles  of  the  apostolic  period. 

5.  Verse  23:    When  and  by  whom  was  the  Cilician  church  founded? 

6.  The  men  who  had  begun  the  trouble  at  Antioch  were  unauthorized 

persons  from  Jerusalem.    Judas  and  Silas,  who  now  visit  Anti- 
och, are  fully  empowered  to  state  the  views  of  the  Jerusalem 
Church. 
;.  Verse  25 :    Observe  the  kind  and  affectionate  manner  in  which 
Barnabas  and  Paul  are  here  mentioned.    Why  does  the  name  of 
Barnabas  precede  that  of  Paul? 
Thought  for  the  Day:    Especially  noteworthy  is  the  calm  and 
conciliatory  tone  of  the  letter  sent  by  the  Jerusalem  churches  to  the 
Gentiles  of  Antioch,  Syria,  and  Cilicia.    Memorize  Proverbs  15:1. 


XI  :5  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  85 


Study  XI. — SI  Crisis :  JHttst  Gentile  Christians  fceep  tl)e 

JHosatc  iato  ? 

Fifth  Day  :     Paui/s  Own  Account  of  the  Council 

In  his  Epistle  to  the  Galatians  Paul  himself  gives  an  account  of 
the  council  at  Jerusalem.  This  account  is  peculiar  in  some  respects. 
Certain  Jewish  teachers,  enemies  of  Paul,  had  tampered  with  his 
Galatian  converts.  By  representing  that  Paul  was  not  truly  an 
apostle  because  he  had  not  seen  and  heard  Jesus,  they  endeavored 
to  undermine  his  authority.  Paul  indignantly  answers  their  charges 
in  his  letter  to  the  Galatians ;  he  says  that  he  is  an  apostle  "not  of 
man,  neither  by  man,  but  by  Jesus  Christ  and  God  the  Father" 
(Gal.  1:1).  He  gives  a  brief  account  of  his  life,  and  in  narrating 
the  events  of  the  Jerusalem  council  emphasizes  the  fact  that  he  was 
independent  of  the  other  apostles.  Consequently,  since  he  is  laying 
stress  upon  certain  features  only  of  the  conference,  his  own  account 
is  somewhat  different  from  that  of  Luke  in  the  book  of  Acts. 

1.  Read  Galatians  2:1-10. 

2.  Verse  1 :    The  "fourteen  years"  are  fourteen  years  dating  from 

the  visit  of  Gal.  1  :i8.  It  was  probably  a  little  more  than  twelve 
years.     See  page  54,  section  3. 

3.  Verse  2 :    By  comparing  the  first  clause  of  this  verse  with  Acts 

15  :2,  it  seems  that  not  only  was  Paul  chosen  by  the  Church  at 
Antioch  to  go  to  Jerusalem,  but  also  he  was  advised  in  a  vision 
to  go  thither. 

4.  The  private  conference  with  the  leaders   mentioned  in  verse  2 

probably  took  place  before  the  public  council  was  held.  By  this 
means  James,  Peter,  and  John — the  "pillars"  of  the  Church — 
were  won  over  (verse  9). 

5.  Verse  10:    This  collection  for  the  poor  is  not  mentioned  by  Luke 

in  Acts.     Paul  later  gave  much  attention  to  the  gathering  of 
money  for  the  poor  at  Jerusalem. 
Lesson  Thought:    What  phase  of  Paul's  character  do  you  dis- 
cover in  the  lesson  of  to-day  (Gal.  2:1-10)  ? 


86  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  xi:6 

Study  XL— £  Crista:  iHuct  (0rnttlc  CImfittans  Keen  tbe 

iftocatc  lato  7 

Sixth  Day:    Paul  Returns  from  Jerusalem  to  Anti- 

ocii  :     The  Reading  of  an  Apostolic  Letter 

Paul  and  Barnabas,  with  the  messengers  sent  by  the  Jerusalem 
Church,  returned  to  Antioch.  As  soon  as  they  arrived,  they  called 
together  the  believers  and  read  to  them  the  letter  from  Jerusalem. 

1.  Read  Acts  15  '.30-35. 

2.  How  many  persons  can  you  name  among  those  composing  the 

company  that  went  from  Jerusalem  to  Antioch?  See  Acts  15  :22 
and  32,  also  Galatians  2:1. 

3.  Verse   31 :     The   scene,    when   this   apostolic   letter   was   read,   is 

the  forerunner  of  the  scenes  later  when  letters  from  Paul  were 
read  in  the  churches  to  which  he  had  written.  A  letter  ad- 
dressed to  an  individual  church  was  often  passed  to  other 
churches  and  read  in  them.     See  Colossians  4:16. 

4.  Verse  31 :    Both  Jews  and  Gentiles  would  hear  the  letter  read. 

What  grounds  had  each  party  for  "rejoicing  for  the  conso- 
lation"? 

Paul  returned  from  Jerusalem  more  than  ever  conscious  of  his 
power  and  clear  in  his  purposes.  "Paul  had  made  himself  master 
of  the  situation.  He  had  come  to  the  very  forefront  in  the  guidance 
of  the  Church.  The  future  of  Christianity  rested  with  the  Gentiles, 
and  to  the  Gentiles  the  acts  and  writings  of  Paul  were  to  be  of 
greater  importance  than  those  of  all  the  other  apostles.  His  Apos- 
tolate  had  been  decisively  recognized.  He  had  met  Peter  and  John 
and  even  the  awe-inspiring  brother  of  the  Lord  in  conference,  and 
found  himself  so  completely  their  equal  in  the  gifts  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  that  it  was  impossible  for  them  to  resist  his  credentials.  .  .  . 
He  "had  returned  from  Jerusalem  more  than  ever  conscious  of  him- 
self, conscious  of  his  own  power,  clear  in  his  future  purposes.  He 
inspired  into  the  Church  at  Antioch  his  own  convictions  with  a  force 
that  no  one  could  resist." — Canon  Farrar. 


XI  :7  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  87 

Study  XL— &  Crisis:  Jitttst  Gentile  Christians  fceep  tjje 

*Jftosaiciato? 

Seventh  Day:     Peter's  Visit  to  Antioch 

Not  long  after  the  council  at  Jerusalem,  Peter  visited  Antioch. 
While  there  he  associated  freely  with  Gentiles,  and  even  ate  with 
them.  When,  however,  certain  Jews  came  down  from  Jerusalem,  Peter 
withdrew  himself  from  the  Gentiles.  In  like  manner  also  some  of 
the  Antiochian  Jews  then  separated  themselves  from  the  Gentiles, 
and  even  Barnabas  was  led  to  change  his  attitude  toward  the  Gentile 
converts.     This  inconsistency  Paul  vigorously  rebuked 

1.  Read  Galatians  2:11-16. 

2.  Verse  12 : 

(a)  Where  had  Peter  before  this  time  eaten  with  Gentiles? 

(b)  What  was  his  defence  when  criticised  on  that  occasion? 

(c)  Why  did  he  not  at  this  time  offer  the  same  defence? 

(d)  From  the  conduct  of  Peter  as  narrated  in  to-day's  lesson 
it  is  clear  that  Peter  had  not  entirely  overcome  his  vacilla- 
tion. What  examples  of  impulsiveness  and  vacillation  in  the 
character  of  Peter  are  given  in  the  gospels? 

3.  Verses  12  and  13 :    These  verses  show  how  deep-seated  were  the 

prejudices  of  the  Christian  Jews  against  associating  on  an 
equality  with  Gentile  converts.  Barnabas,  who  had  witnessed 
the  reception  of  the  Gospel  among  the  Gentiles,  was  himself  car- 
ried away  by  the  influence  of  Jewish  exclusiveness.  In  spite  of 
the  ruling  of  the  council  at  Jerusalem,  the  Judaizing  party 
within  the  Church  was  not  silenced.  This  party  constantly 
opposed  the  work  of  Paul ;  again  and  again  he  met  their  argu- 
ments with  keen  and  incisive  logic. 

4.  Verse  14:    How  do  you  account  for  the  boldness  of  Paul  in  re- 

buking Peter? 

5.  There  was  no  violent  break,  as  some  think,  in  consequence  of  this 

occurrence  at  Antioch.  Peter  speaks  affectionately  of  Paul  in 
one  of  his  letters.  See  2  Peter  3:15. 
Thought  for  the  Day  :  Are  you,  too,  ever  guilty  of  inconsistent 
conduct?  Do  you  act  and  say  one  thing  when  among  Christians  and 
quite  another  thing  when  among  those  who  are  not  Christians  ?  Are 
you  ready  to  blame  Peter  for  his  action,  but  slow  to  condemn  your- 
self for  equal  inconsistency? 


PART  V 

Paul's  Second  Missionary  Journey 

Study    XII. — From  Antioch  to  Philippi 
Study  XIII. — From  Philippi  to  Athens 
Study  XIV. — From  Athens  to  Antioch 


XII: i  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  91 

Study  XII. — JFrom  gnttocl)  to  J3!)tltppi 
First  Day:    Paul  and  Silas  Go  Through  Syria  and 

Cilicia 

After  no  long  stay  in  Antioch  Paul  started  out  on  his  second  mis- 
sionary journey.  On  this  tour  Silas,  instead  of  Barnabas,  accom- 
panied him.  Leaving  the  city  of  Antioch,  Paul  and  Silas  passed 
through  Syria  and  Cilicia,  confirming  the  churches. 

1.  Read  Acts  15:36-41. 

2.  How  much  time  is  indicated  by  the  "some  days  after"  of  verse  36? 

A  short  or  long  space  of  time?     See  page  51,  section  5. 

3.  What   relationship   existed   between   Barnabas   and  John   Mark? 

Colossians  4:10. 

4.  Why  did  John  Mark  leave  them  in   Pamphylia?     See  page  69, 

section  4. 

5.  In  verse  39,  the  word  "contention"  (or  "sharp  contention,"  R.V.) 

is  the  translation  of  the  Greek  word  tfapo^vdjuoS  {paroxysmos), 
which  appears  in  English  in  the  word  paroxysm.  It  indicates  a 
sharp  contention  which  soon  subsides.  We  should  not  think 
that  after  this  event  Paul  and  Barnabas  were  estranged  from 
each  other.  In  his  First  Epistle  to  the  Corinthians,  written  four 
or  five  years  after  the  date  of  to-day's  lession,  Paul  speaks  of 
Barnabas  on  terms  of  perfect  equality  with  himself. 

6.  As  a  result  of  this  contention  between  Paul  and  Barnabas  two 

pairs  of  missionaries,  instead  of  one,  went  out  to  preach.  The 
event  seems  not  to  have  been  without  its  influence  upon  Mark, 
for  Paul  subsequently  found  him  a  valuable  helper.  See  2 
Timothy  4:11. 

7.  (a)  WThen  were  the  churches  of   Syria  founded? 

(b)  When  and  by  whom  were  the  churches  of  Cilicia  founded? 

(c)  Have  you  marked  any  city  in  Cilicia  with  a  cross  on  your 
map? 

Thought  for  To-day  :  We  may  honestly  differ  from  one  another 
on  matters  of  policy,  and  even  on  questions  of  morals  and  religion, 
but  we  should  never  let  our  differences  embitter  us.  By  working 
from  different  points  of  view  toward  the  same  end,  men  contribute 
more  richly  to  the  final  result. 


92  Studies   in   the  Life   of  St.    Paul  XII:a 


Study  XII. — JFrom  SCntiocb  to  fJbtlippt 
Second  Day:     Paul  at  Derbe  and  Lystra 

From  Cilicia.  Paul  and  Silas  passed  into  Lycaonia,  to  the  towns 
of  Derbe  and  Lystra.  At  Lystra  Paul  found  Timothy,  whom  he 
took  with  him  on  leaving  that  city.  Paul,  Silas,  and  Timothy  then 
journeyed  through  the  neighboring  cities,  delivering  the  decree  voted 
by  the  apostles  and  elders  at  Jerusalem, 
i.  Read  Acts  16:1-5. 

2.  What  inference  do  you  draw  from  verse  2? 

3.  Construct  a  picture  of  the  home  life  of  Timothy  from  the  fol- 

lowing verses  found  in  one  of  Paul's  letters: 

(a)  2  Timothy  3  :i5. 

(b)  2  Timothy  1  :$. 

4.  Verse  3 :    Timothy,   although  his  father  was  a  Greek,  would  be 

considered  a  Jew  because  he  was  the  son  of  a  Jewish  mother. 
Timothy,  however,  had  never  been  circumcised,  and  as  an  un- 
circumcised  Jew  was  particularly  unacceptable  to  other  Jews, 
Paul  circumcised  him.  This  would  make  no  difference  to  the 
Gentiles,  and  would  not  infringe  upon  the  spirit  of  the  Jeru- 
salem decree,  since  that  decree  applied  only  to  Gentiles. 

5.  To  what  influences  do  you  ascribe  the  growth  in  faith  and  in- 

crease in  numbers  of  the  churches  mentioned  in  verse  5? 
Thought  for  the  Day:  It  is  a  great  thing  to  know  when  to 
yield  to  the  opinion  of  others.  Paul,  in  the  circumcision  of  Timothy, 
without  surrendering  any  of  his  principles,  yielded  to  the  prejudices 
of  the  Jews.  Similarly  we,  whenever  possible,  should  be  willing,  for 
the  sake  of  peace  and  for  the  extension  of  the  kingdom  of  God,  to 
concede  something  to  others,  provided,  of  course,  we  do  not  give 
up  any  of  our  moral  principles.  When  we  stand  out  against  others 
we  should  be  sure  that  we  do  so  from  principle  and  not  from  pride. 


XII  :3  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paid  93 

Study  XII. — jFrom  StntiocI)  to  $)!)Utppi 

Third  Day  :     Paul  Has  a  Vision  :     He  Goes  over  into 

Macedonia 

In  the  providence  of  God  the  time  had  now  come  for  the  spread 
of  the  Gospel  in  Europe.  Paul  and  his  helpers,  after  preaching  in 
the  cities  of  Lycaonia,  traveled  through  Phrygia  and  Galatia.  When 
they  reached  Troas  in  northwest  Asia  Minor,  Paul  had  a  vision  in 
which  a  man  of  Macedonia  begged  him  to  come  over  into  Macedonia. 
At  once  Paul  crossed  from  Asia  into  Europe,  and  came  to  the  im- 
portant city  of  Philippi. 

1.  Read  Acts  16:6-12. 

2.  Verse  6 :   The  word  Asia  in  the  New  Testament  is  used  always  as 

the  name  of  the  Roman  province  of  Asia — a  district  including 
the  greater  part  of  western  Asia  Minor.  For  its  extent,  see 
map,  page  64. 

3.  Verses  6-8:    The  route  of  Paul  is  given  clearly  by  Ramsay  as 

follows:  "Paul  and  his  companions  made  a  progress  through 
the  Phrygian  Region  of  the  province  of  Galatia,  and  then  crossed 
the  frontier  of  the  province  of  Asia ;  but  here  they  were  pre- 
vented from  preaching,  and  the  prohibition  was  made  absolute 
for  the  entire  province.  They  therefore  kept  to  the  north  across 
Asian  Phrygia  with  the  intention  of  entering  the  adjoining 
Roman  province,  Bithynia;  but  when  they  came  opposite  Mysia 
and  were  attempting  to  go  out  of  Asia  into  Bithynia,  the  spirit 
of  Jesus  suffered  them  not.  They  therefore  kept  on  towards 
the  west  through  Mysia,  without  preaching  in  it  (as  it  was  part 
of  Asia)  until  they  came  out  on  its  western  coast  at  the  great 
harbour  of  Troas." 

4.  Mark  Galatian  Phrygia  with  a  cross  on  your  outline  map. 

5.  Verse  10:    From  the  "we"  of  this  verse  it  is  inferred  that  Luke, 

the  writer  of  Acts,  joined  Paul's  party  at  Troas. 

6.  Troas  was  on  the  coast  of  Mysia,  not  far  from  Ilium,  the  scene 

of  the  Trojan  war. 
Thought  for  the  Day  :    From  verses  6,  7,  and  10  of  to-day's  les- 
son, it  is  clear  that  the  apostles  gave  themselves  up  completely  to 
the  sway  of  the  Holy  Spirit.    Are  you  willing  to  be  so  guided  and 
directed  for  useful  service? 


<)4  Studies  in  the  Life  of  Si.  Paul  xii:4 

Study  XII. — from  ftnttocl)  to  pbilippi 
Fourth  Day:     The  Gospel  in  Philippi 

The  first  converts  in  Philippi  were  women.     One  of  these,  Lydia 
by  name,  hospitably  opened  her  home  to  Paul  and  his  company, 
i.  Read  Acts  16:12-15. 

2.  Philippi  was  an  important  city  of  Macedonia,  situated  about  ten 

miles  from  the  sea.  Augustus  made  it  a  "colony"  after  his 
victory  over  Brutus  and  Cassius  in  42  B.C.  Its  inhabitants 
had  Roman  citizenship,  they  could  vote  in  the  Roman  tribes, 
they  had  their  own  senate  and  magistrates,  and  used  the  Roman 
law  and  language. 

3.  Mark  Philippi  with  a  cross  upon  your  outline  map. 

4.  Apparently   there   was   no   synagogue   in    Philippi.      The   Jewish 

women  met  outside  the  city  for  prayer  upon  the  banks  of  the 
Gangites.  There  they  were  free  from  interruption,  and  could 
use  the  waters  of  the  river  in  their  ablutions. 

5.  Where  was  the  city  of  Thyatira?     What  importance  did  this  city 

have  in  the  Church  at  a  later  time? 

6.  Verse  14:    Paul's  first  convert  in  Europe  was  a  woman.     Lydia 

was  doubtless  a  proselyte,  and  so  was  found  among  the  Jewish 
women  who  worshipped  by  the  river-side ;  that  she  was  a 
woman  of  means  is  clear  from  the  fact  that  she  was  able  to 
take  Paul  and  his  helpers  into  her  house. 

7.  How  many  persons  can  you  name  who  accompanied  Paul  at  this 

time,  and  who  are  included  in  the  pronoun  "us"  of  verse  15? 

8.  Christianity  brought  a  more  honorable  position  to  women  than 

they  had  had,  and  gave  them  greater  freedom. 
"This  is  the  first  example  of  that  family  religion  to  which  Paul 
so  often  refers  in  his  Epistles.  First  came  the  faith  of  Lydia,  then 
her  leading  all  around  her  to  Christ,  then  their  baptismal  confession, 
then  her  love  evidenced  in  pressing  hospitality,  finally  her  receiving 
into  her  house  Paul  and  Silas  after  their  discharge  from  prison ; 
she  was  not  'ashamed  of  the  Lord's  prisoners,  but  was  a  partaker  of 
the  afflictions  of  the  gospel.'  " 


XII  :5  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  95 


Study  XII. — jFrom  9tntiocf)  to  JJ&iUppt 

Fifth  Day:     Paul  Casts  Out  an  Evil  Spirit:    Paul 

and  Silas  Are  Imprisoned 

One  day  while  in  Philippi,  Paul  cast  an  evil  spirit  out  of  a  girl 
who  practiced  soothsaying.  When  her  masters  saw  that  they  could 
no  longer  make  money  from  her  soothsaying,  they  brought  Paul 
and  Silas  into  court,  stirred  up  a  mob  against  them,  and  had  them 
beaten  and  imprisoned. 

1.  Read  Acts   16:16-24. 

2.  It   is   impossible   to   determine   with   what   species   of  mental   or 

spiritual  trouble  the  girl  was  afflicted.  Luke,  an  intelligent  and 
educated  man,  calls  it  "a  spirit  of  divination." 

3.  Verse  18:   Why  was  Paul  grieved  at  the  words  of  the  girl?    Was 

not  her  statement  a  true  one? 

4.  Verse  20 :    The  "magistrates"  were  the  two  Roman  praetors. 

5.  From  verses  20  and  21  it  would  seem  that  the  masters  of  the 

girl  were  Greeks.  They  were  anxious  to  impress  upon  the 
Roman  judge  their  loyalty  to  Roman  rule,  in  order  to  gain 
his  influence  against  Paul  and  Silas. 

6.  Verse  22 :  It  was  always  easy  at  that  time  to  stir  up  a  mob  against 

the  Jews,  just  as  is  also  the  case  nowadays  in  some  countries. 

7.  In   verse  22  the   R.  V.    reads :     "commanded   to  beat   them   with 

rods."  These  were  the  rods  of  the  Roman  lictors.  Paul  alludes 
to  this  beating  in  2  Corinthians  11 125. 

8.  Paul  was  a  Roman  citizen,  and  should  not  have  been  beaten  before 

his  condemnation.  The  question  therefore  arises  why  he  did  not 
appeal  to  his  rights  as  a  Roman  citizen.  The  following  reasons 
may  be  given : 

(a)  The  trial,  which  seems  to  have  been  incomplete  and  ir- 
regular, may  have  been  carried  on  in  Latin,  and  of  this 
language  Paul  and  Silas  may  have  been  ignorant. 

(b)  Roman  praetors  were  sometimes  cruel  and  merciless. 
Cicero  tells  how  Verres,  a  Roman  governor  in  Sicily, 
scourged  a  Roman  citizen,  though  in  the  midst  of  his  agony 
he  kept  exclaiming:  "Chris  Romanus  sum"  ("I  am  a 
Roman  citizen.") 

Thought  for  the  Day  :  The  masters  of  the  girl  out  of  whom 
the  spirit  of  divination  was  cast  prosecuted  Paul  because  of  their  love 
of  money.  What  does  Paul  say  about  the  love  of  money?  See  1 
Timothy  6 19  and  10. 


Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Pan!  xr 


Study  XIT. — JFrom  ftnttocb  to  J)|)ilippt 
Sixth  Day  :    Conversion  of  the  Jailer  and  His  Family 

Paul  and  Silas  were  unable  to  sleep  in  the  jail  at  Philippi;  they 
were  fastened  in  stocks  which  allowed  them  no  change  of  position, 
and  their  backs  were  sore  and  bleeding  from  the  cruel  beating  they 
had  suffered.  To  while  away  the  hours  of  the  night  they  prayed  and 
sang  hymns;  an  earthquake  opened  the  prison  doors,  and  the  jailer 
and  his  family  were  converted  through  the  exhortation  of  the 
apostles, 
i.  Read  Acts  16:25-34. 

2.  Verse  25  :    "The  prisoners  were  listening  to  them."     The  Greek 

verb  here  translated,  "listening,"  is  not  the  common  one  for 
"hearing."  It  denotes  careful  hearkening.  In  what  language 
did  Paul  and  Silas  sing? 

3.  Paul  in  certain  of  his  letters  urges  the  Christians  to  sing:   see 

Ephesians  5:19;  Colossians  3:16. 

4.  Earthquakes  are  frequent  in  Greece.    An  earthquake  shock  might 

easily  unhinge  doors,  and  release  prisoners  chained  to  walls. 

5.  Verse  27:    Why  was  the  jailer  about  to  kill  himself? 

6.  What  causes  led  the  jailer  to  ask  the  question,  "What  must  I  do 

to  be  saved"?  Did  he  assign  the  extraordinary  events  of  the 
night  to  the  influence  of  Paul  and  Silas?  Do  you  think  that  he 
knew  anything  about  Paul's  preaching? 

7.  Read  again  slowly  the  lesson  of  to-day,  Acts   16:25-34,  and  let 

your  imagination  picture  to  you  the  whole  scene. 

Memory  Verse:   Read  and  memorize  Acts  4:12. 

Prayer:  "O  God.  let  the  sighing  of  the  prisoner  come  before 
Thee,  and  mercifully  grant  unto  us  that  we  may  be  delivered  by 
Thine  almighty  power  from  all  bonds  and  chains  of  sin  whether 
in  our  bodies  or  in  our  souls,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord."  Amen. 


XII 7  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paid  97 

Study  XII. — jFrom  9Uitiocl)  to  JJ&Uippt 

Seventh  Day  :     The  Release  of  Paul  and  Silas 

On  the  morrow  after  the  imprisonment  of  Paul  and  Silas,  the 
magistrates,  learning  that  they  were  Roman  citizens,  came  to  the 
prison  and  besought  them  to  leave  the  city.  Paul  and  Silas  entered 
into  the  house  of  Lydia,  greeted  the  brethren,  and  then  departed 
from  Philippi. 
i.  Read   Acts    16:35-40. 

2.  The  word  "sergeants"    (verse  35)   is  the  translation  of  a  Greek 

word  which  means  "rod-bearers"  or  "lictors."  These  lictors 
were  the  attendants  of  the  praetors. 

3.  Verse  38:    Why  did  the  magistrates  fear?     What  had  they  done 

that  was  illegal? 

4.  From  verses  37  and  38  it  is  clear  that  Silas,  like  Paul,  was  a 

Roman  citizen. 

5.  Luke  does  Hot  use  the  pronoun  "we"  in  verse  40,  nor  does  it 

appear  again  until  Acts  20:6.  From  these  two  passages  it  is 
inferred  that  Luke  remained  in  Philippi,  or  in  that  region  at 
least,  until  Paul  came  again  on  his  way  to  Jerusalem  during 
his  third  missionary  journey. 

6.  The  Church  at  Philippi  was  always  especially  fond  of  Paul.     On 

four  different  occasions  they  sent  him  gifts  for  his  support : 
Philippians  4:10  and  4:16;  2  Corinthians  11:9. 

7.  Read  rapidly  in  review  the  introductory  paragraphs  of  each  lesson 

in  this  week's  work  (Study  XII). 
"Thus  the  first  chapter  of  the  work  to  which  the  Lord  had  called 
them  by  a  vision  came  to  an  end.  Thus  far  it  had  been  a  work 
of  peculiar  suffering  and  of  apparently  small  fruitage.  But  the 
future  was  to  give  abundant  proof  that  their  coming  to  Philippi  had 
indeed  been  of  the  Lord." — Gilbert. 


98  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  XIII :i 

Study  XIII. — JFrom  {)!)tltppt  to  gtjjcng 
First  Day:     Paul  Preaches  in  Thessalonica 

From  Philippi  Paul  and  his  companions  journeyed  westward  until 
they  came  to  Thessalonica,  the  capital  of  the  Roman  province  of 
Macedonia.  Here  Paul's  labors  were  very  successful.  His  con- 
verts seem  to  have  been  Gentiles  chiefly. 

1.  Read  Acts  17:1-4. 

2.  For  the  route  of  Paul  through  Philippi,  through  Amphipolis  and 

Apollonia,  see  the  map,  page  64.  Mark  both  Amphipolis  and 
Apollonia  on  your  outline  map  with  crosses. 

3.  The  Ignatian  Way  (Via  Ignatia)  ran  from  Philippi  through  Am- 

phipolis and  Apollonia  to  Thessalonica.  Over  this  road  Paul 
journeyed. 

4.  Thessalonica  was  situated  on  the  Thermaic  Gulf.    Its  harbor  and 

its  position  on  the  Ignatian  Way  gave  it  great  advantages  in 
commerce ;  it  was  the  administrative  center,  or  capital,  of  the 
Roman  province  of  Macedonia,  and  contained  a  large  Jewish 
population. 

5.  Verse  2:    For  Paul's  practice  of  preaching  first  in  the  synagogues 

of  the  Jews,  see  Acts  13:5  and  14;  and  14:1. 

6.  From  verse  4  may  be  learned  an  important  fact :    In  many  cities 

Greeks  of  the  upper  class  were  accustomed  to  attend  the  ser- 
vices of  the  synagogue,  attracted  thither,  doubtless,  by  the  sim- 
plicity and  earnestness  of  the  worship  as  compared  with  the 
rites  of  the  heathen  temples.  The  "devout  Greeks"  were  prob- 
ably proselytes. 

7.  More  Greeks  than  Jews  seem  to  have  been  converted  (verse  4). 

This  is  clear  also  from  one  of  Paul's  letters :  see  1  Thessalon- 
ians  1  :g  and  2:14. 

8.  Mark  Thessalonica  with  a  cross  upon  your  outline  map. 

"The  synagogue  audience  [in  Thessalonica]  was  mainly  composed 
of  Jews,  and  of  these  some  were  converted  and  joined  the  Church. 
.  .  .  A  larger  number,  however,  of  proselytes  and  of  Greeks 
accepted  the  faith,  and  not  a  few  women,  of  whom  some  were  in  a 
leading  position.  The  inveterate  obstinacy  of  the  Jews,  contrasting 
sadly  with  the  ready  conversion  of  the  Gentiles,  is  a  phenomenon 
which  constantly  recurs  in  the  early  history  of  Christianity.  The 
Jew  was  at  least  in  the  possession  of  a  religion  which  had  raised  him 
to  a  height  of  moral  superiority  above  his  Gentile  contemporaries ; 
but  the  Gentile  of  this  day  had  no  religion  at  all  worth  speaking 
of." — Canon  Farrar. 


XIII  :2  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  99 

Study  XIII. — iFrom  J)I;iIippi  to  &tl;eng 
Second  Day:    Paul  Preaches  in  Thessalonica  (Con- 
tinued) 

Paul,  in  a  letter  to  the  Thessalonians  written  not  long  after  this 
time,  gives  an  account  of  the  manner  in  which  he  worked  and 
preached  while  among  them.  The  details  are  interesting  because 
from  them  it  can  be  learned  how  Paul  conducted  himself  in  Gentile 
cities  during  his  missionary  tours. 

1.  Paul  supported  himself  by  working  at  his  trade.     See  I  Thes- 

salonians 2:9.     What   was  his  trade? 

2.  "One  of  the  staple  manufactures  of  the  city  was  and  is  goat's-hair 

cloth.  The  sound  that  follows  the  ear  as  one  walks  through 
the  streets  of  Saloniki  (Thessalonica)  to-day  is  the  wheezing 
and  straining  vibration  of  the  loom  and  the  pendulum-like  click 
of  the  regular  and  ceaseless  shuttle." 

3.  Yet  Paul's  labor  seems  not  to  have  produced  enough  for  his  sup- 

port:   See  Philippians  4:16. 

4.  Paul  taught  that  men  should  support  themselves  by  honest  labor: 

2  Thessalonians  3  :j-io. 

5.  His  preaching  was  sincere;  his  aim  was  unselfish;  he  sought  to 

please  God  rather  than  man:     1   Thessalonians  2:1-8. 

6.  His  preaching  was  effectual :  1  Thess.  1 :5  and  6. 

Lesson  Thought:  Paul's  two  letters  to  the  Thessalonians,  which 
will  be  studied  later,  enable  us  to  learn  not  a  little  concerning  the 
advice  and  instruction  which  he  gave  his  Gentile  converts.  In  par- 
ticular, three  verses  in  First  Thessalonians  seem  to  sum  up  the  cheer- 
ful, positive,  and  helpful  exhortation  of  the  apostle:  Memorize  1 
Thess.  5:16-18. 


ioo  Studies  in   the  Life  of  St.  Paul  XIII  :3 

i 

Study  XIIL— JFrom  |)I)iIippt  ta  gtljend 
Third  Day  :    The  Unbelieving  Jews  Stir  Up  a  Mob 

The  unbelieving  Jews  of  Thessalonica,  angered  because  Paul,  after 
a  few  weeks  of  preaching,  had  been  more  successful  than  they  in 
making  converts  among  the  Gentiles,  gathered  a  mob  and  assaulted 
the  house  of  Jason,  Paul's  host.  Jason  was  taken  before  the  magis- 
trates, but  was  later  released  on  bail. 

1.  Read  Acts  17:5-9. 

2.  Verse  5 :  What  do  you  infer  from  this  verse  regarding  the  in- 

fluence of  the  Jews  in  the  city  of  Thessalonica? 

3.  The  "rulers  of  the  city"  were  the  seven  politarchs. 

4.  From  verse  6  it  is  apparent  that  news  of  the  spread  of  the  Gospel 

in  other  parts  of  the  Roman  world  had  reached  Thessalonica. 

5.  Verses  6  and  7 :    Do  you  think  that  the  men  composing  this  mob 

were  sincere  in  their  zeal  for  the  authority  of  Caesar? 

6.  Who  was  the  Caesar,  or  Roman  Emperor,  at  this  time?    For  the 

date  of  these  events  see  the  chronological  outline,  page  xi. 

7.  Thessalonica,  though  a  free  city,  was  subject  to  the  Roman  Em- 

peror.    Why  were  the  rulers  of  the  city  troubled?     Had  any- 
thing unlawful  been  done? 

8.  For  the  fear  which  the  authorities  of  Greek  towns  had  of  the 

Roman  government,  see  the  words  of  the  town  clerk  of  Ephe- 
sus  after  a  riot  like  this  one  had  taken  place  at  Ephesus :   Acts 
19:35-40. 
"The    success    of   Paul    in   Thessalonica,    though   his    work    was 
broken  off  by  persecution,  was  very  great.     The  Thessalonians  re- 
ceived his  word  as  the  word  of  God  and  rejoiced  in  the  midst  of 
afflictions.     They  soon  became  an  example  to  all  believers  in  the 
provinces  of  Macedonia  and  Achaia,  and  their  Christian  life  was 
everywhere  known    (see    1    Thess.    1:6-8).      Paul   was  tenderly  at- 
tached to  them,  and  esteemed  them  as  his  joy  and  crown  of  glory- 
ing (Thess.  2:19  and  20)." — Gilbert. 


XIII  :4  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  101 

Study  XIII. — jFrom  p^iltppi  to  &t&ens 
Fourth  Day:    Paul  Goes  to  Berea:    Flees  Thence  to 

Athens 

The  danger  of  injury  to  the  apostle  Paul  was  so  great  that  the 
Christians  of  Thessalonica  sent  him  off  by  night  to  Berea.  At  Berea 
Paul  preached  the  Gospel  with  marked  success.  Learning  of  this, 
the  Jews  of  Thessalonica  came  to  Berea  and  stirred  up  the  people. 
Thereupon  the  disciples  of  Berea  sent  Paul  away  to  Athens.  Timothy 
and  Silas  remained  at  Berea. 
i.  Read  Acts  17:10-15. 

2.  Locate  Berea  and  mark  it  with  a  cross. 

3.  What   reason  do   you   assign   for  the   receptive   attitude   of   the 

Bereans  ? 

4.  In  verse  12  who  are  designated  by  the  words  "many  of  them"? 

Who  are  the  honorable  women  ?  See  Acts  13  150  and  the  note 
on  that  verse,  page  74,  section  2. 

5.  Verse  14:    The  reading  of  the  R.V.  is  to  be  preferred  here:    "the 

brethren  sent  forth  Paul  to  go  as  far  as  the  sea." 

6.  Berea  was  the  last  town  of  Macedonia  in  which  Paul  preached 

on  this  tour.  While  in  Macedonia  he  had  preached  in  Philippi, 
Thessalonica,  and  Berea;  whether  he  visited  other  towns  can- 
not be  known.  His  work  influenced  the  entire  province ;  for 
shortly  after  this  he  wrote  to  the  Thessalonians  that  the  Gospel 
was  known  throughout  all  Macedonia :    See  1  Thess.  1 :8. 

7.  Athens  in  the  days  of  St.  Paul  had  no  great  political  importance, 

for   Corinth  was  the  Roman  capital   of  Achaia.     But  Athens 
was  still  the  intellectual  center  of  Greece ;  its  schools  of  phil- 
osophy were  famous;  it   had  beautiful   temples   adorned   with 
precious  works  of  art;  the  traditions  of  its  ancient  greatness 
were  still  powerful,  and  to  it  the  world  turned  for  culture  and 
polish. 
Two   schools  of  philosophy,    mentioned  in  the   New   Testament, 
were   prominent   at   Athens    at   this   time — the    Epicurean    and    the 
Stoic.    The  Epicureans  believed  that  the  highest  good  was  pleasure; 
not  sensual  pleasure,  but  rather  a  state  in  which  the  mind  was  free 
from   care   and   the   body   from   pain.      The    Stoics   held   that   the 
highest  good  was  virtue.     Virtue  depended  upon  knowledge,   and 
knowledge   could  come  only  through  the   senses.     Man's   life   was 
bound  up  with  the  universe.     He  must  bring  himself  into  harmony 
with  the  universe;  he  must  suffer  proudly  and  in  silence. 


102  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  XIII 15 


Study  XIII. — JFrom  pbtltppt  to  Stljcns 
Fifth  Day:     Paul's  Labors  at  Athens 

Timothy  soon  joined  Paul  at  Athens,  but  Paul,  anxious  for  the 
welfare  of  the  Thessalonian  Church,  sent  him  to  Thessalonica.  Silas 
probably  still  remained  at  Berea.  While  waiting  for  them  to  rejoin 
him,  Paul  was  moved  by  the  idolatry  of  Athens,  and  began  to  preach 
in  the  synagogue  and  teach  in  the  market-place  (agora).  Certain 
of  the  philosophers  of  the  city  took  him  to  the  Areopagus  (Hill  of 
Ares),  and  asked  him  to  explain  more  fully  the  strange  doctrines 
he  was  teaching. 

1.  Paul   at  this  time  greatly  wished  to  visit  Thessalonica :     See   1 

Thess.  2:17  and  18.  Timothy,  on  coming  to  Athens,  was  dis- 
patched to  Thessalonica:    1  Thess.  3:1-5. 

2.  Read  Acts  17:16-21. 

3.  Verse  16,  Revised  Version :    "Now,  while  Paul  waited  for  them 

at  Athens  his  spirit  was  provoked  within  him,  as  he  beheld  the 
city  full  of  idols."  Pausanias,  a  Greek  traveler  not  long  after 
Paul's  time,  says  that  there  were  more  statues  in  Athens  than 
in  all  the  rest  of  Greece  together.  A  Roman  writer  says,  in 
referring  to  the  statues  in  Athens,  that  it  was  easier  to  meet 
a  god  than  a  man. 

4.  Verse  17 :     How  would  the  arguments  differ  which  Paul  used  in 

the  synagogue  and  in  the  market-place? 

5.  The    Epicureans    believed   that    the    gods    did    not   care    for    the 

world,  but  dwelt  apart  in  perfect  happiness.  The  Stoics  held 
that  God  had  produced  the  universe  and  that  it  would  some  day 
be  absorbed  by  Him.  What  were  some  of  the  other  beliefs  of  the 
Epicureans  and  the  Stoics? 

6.  "Babbler"    (verse   18)    is  the    imperfect    translation   of  a   Greek 

word  which  means  "seed-gatherer."  It  may  have  been  a  slang 
term  used  at  Athens  to  designate  those  who  picked  up  scraps  of 
knowledge. 

7.  The  Areopagus  (Hill  of  Ares,  or  Mars  Hill)  was  a  small  hill  west 

of  the  Acropolis.  On  this  hill  the  Court  of  the  Areopagus  used 
to  meet.  In  full  view  were  the  splendid  buildings  of  the 
Acropolis  and  of  the  city. 

A  love  of  knowledge  for  its  own  sake  was  a  marked  character- 
istic of  the  Greeks :  See  1  Corinthians  1 :22.  The  Athenians  were 
especially  noted  for  their  busy  intellectual  curiosity  and  for  an  in- 
veterate desire  to  talk,  dispute,  and  argue. 


XIII  :6  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  103 

Study  XIII. — from  pijilippt  to  SUfccns 
Sixth  Day  :     Paul's  Sermon  on  the  Areopagus 

Standing  on  the  Areopagus,  with  the  splendid  statues,  shrines,  and 
temples  of  the  city  in  full  view,  surrounded  by  an  audience  com- 
posed of  Epicureans,  Stoics,  and  idlers  of  the  market-place,  St.  Paul 
preached  the  sermon  contained  in  Acts  17:22-31. 

i„  Read  Acts  17:22-28. 

2.  In  verse  22  the   Greek  word  rendered  in  the  A.V.   "too  super- 

stitious," and  in  the  R.V.  "somewhat  superstitious,"  means 
rather:  "unusually  religious."  Paul  was  a  tactful  man,  and 
would  naturally  begin  by  conciliating  his  audience. 

3.  Verse  23:   The  R.V.  has  "the  objects  of  your  worship"  for  "your 

devotions"  of  the  A.V. 

4.  The  inscription  was  to  an  unknown  god  or  to  unknown  god. 

Greek  writers  tell  of  altars  at  Athens  dedicated  to  gods  un- 
known. Probably  the  Athenians,  in  their  desire  to  please  the 
deities,  had  erected  them  on  spots  where  strange  or  supernatural 
events  had  taken  place. 

5.  Verse  24 :  Is  there  any  reason  why  Paul  should  allude  to  temples 

in  this  verse? 

6.  The  Greeks  called  all  non-Greeks  "barbarians,"  and  regarded  them 

as  ignorant  and  uncivilized.  But  Paul  in  verse  26  preaches  the 
brotherhood  of  man. 

7.  The  quotation  "For  we  are  his  offspring"  is  found  in  the  writ- 

ings of  Aratus  of  Soli   (in  Cilicia),  who  flourished  about  275 
B.C.    The  same  words  are  also  found  in  the  poems  of  Cleanthes, 
who  was  a  native  of  Assos  in  Asia  Minor.     He  lived  in  the 
third   century   B.C.     When    did    Paul   become   acquainted    with 
the  Greek  poets? 
Thought  for  the  Day:    The  introduction  of  Paul's  address  is 
marked   by   great   tact  and   courtesy.      He   does   not   rebuke   them 
sharply  for  their  idolatry,  nor  call  them  to  account  sternly  for  their 
neglect  of  duty.     He  begins  by  saying  that  the  Athenians  are  un- 
usually religious :    they  even  erect  an  altar  to  an  unknown  god  so 
as  to  include  all  divinities;  he  then  declares  the  unknown  God  to 
be  the  Lord  of  Heaven,  who  created  all  men  to  love  and  serve  Him. 
Men  are  His  children,  even  as  the  Greek  poets  have  said. 


104  Studies  in   the  Life   of  St.    Paul  XITI7 


Study  XIII. — from  pijiltppi  to  fttbrna 
Seventh  Day:     Paul's  Sermon  on  the  Areopagus 

(Continued) 

By  means  of  his  tactful  introduction,  Paul  conciliated  his  audi- 
ence and  gained  their  attention.  He  then  went  on  to  preach  Jesus 
and  the  Resurrection.  When  he  mentioned  the  resurrection  of  the 
dead,  the  Athenians  mocked  at  him ;  nevertheless,  a  few  of  them 
believed  and  were  converted. 

1.  Read  Acts   17:29-34. 

2.  State  in  your  own  words,  supplying  any  missing  sentences,  the 

argument  of  verse  29. 

3.  Why  did  the  doctrine  of  the  resurrection  prove  to  be  unacceptable 

to  the  Athenians? 

4.  Paul's  work  in  Athens  was  not  altogether  a  failure.    Dionysius,  the 

Areopagite,  must  have  been  a  man  of  influence,  since  members 
of  the  Court  of  the  Areopagus  were  at  least  sixty  years  of 
age,  and  had  filled  important  offices  of  the  city.  Tradition  says 
that  Dionysius  was  the  first  bishop  of  Athens.  Of  Damaris 
nothing  is  known. 

5.  The  Athenians  were  too  exclusive,  too  frivolous,  and  too  much 

wrapped  up  in  their  own  conceits  to  readily  embrace  the  Gos- 
pel. It  is  not  recorded  that  Paul  ever  visited  them  again.  No 
Epistle  to  the  Athenians  is  even  mentioned.  Paul  may  have 
had  the  Athenians  in  mind  when  he  wrote :  "Be  not  wise  in 
your  own  conceits."     (Romans  12:16.) 

6.  Mark  Athens  with  a  cross  on  your  outline  map. 

Lesson  Thought  :  "For  the  word  of  the  cross,  to  those  in  the  way 
of  perdition,  is  folly;  but  to  us  in  the  way  of  salvation,  it  is  the 
power  of  God.  And  so  it  is  written,  /  will  destroy  the  wisdom  of  the 
wise,  and  bring  to  nothing  the  understanding  of  the  prudent.  Where 
is  the  Philosopher?  Where  is  the  Rabbi?  Where  is  the  reason  of 
this  world?  Has  not  God  turned  the  world's  wisdom  into  folly? 
for  when  the  world  had  failed  to  gain  by  its  wisdom  the  knowledge 
of  God  in  the  wisdom  of  God,  it  pleased  God,  by  the  folly  of  our 
preaching,  to  save  those  who  believe." — St.  Paul,  First  Corinthians 
15:18-21  (Conybeare  and  Howson's  translation). 


XIV :i  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  105 

Study  XIV.— -from  &tl)ens  to  &ntioc& 

First  Day  :     Paul  Goes  to  Corinth  and  Labors  Among 

the  Jews 

Discouraged  by  the  unfavorable  reception  that  the  Gospel  had 
met  with  in  Athens,  Paul  left  that  city  and  came  to  Corinth.  He  made 
his  home  with  Aquila  and  Priscilla,  who  were  tent-makers  by  occu- 
pation. While  waiting  for  Timothy  and  Silas  to  come  from  Mace- 
donia, Paul  taught  in  the  synagogue  every  Sabbath,  preaching  to 
Jews  and  to  Greek  proselytes. 

1.  Read  Acts   18:1-4. 

2.  The  Romans  had  divided  all  Greece  into  two  provinces — Mace- 

donia and  Achaia.  The  capital  of  Macedonia  was  Thessalonica, 
the  capital  of  Achaia  was  Corinth. 

3.  Corinth  was  situated  on  the  isthmus  connecting  Central  Greece 

and  the  Peloponnesus.  Its  location  made  it  a  city  of  great 
commercial  importance ;  its  wealth  and  its  cosmopolitan  popu- 
lation led  to  a  lax  state  of  morals ;  the  worship  of  Aphrodite 
(Venus)   was  carried  on  with  gross  immorality. 

4.  Aquila   and   Priscilla   were   Roman  Jews.     What   do   the   names 

Aquila  and  Priscilla  mean? 

5.  Claudius  expelled  the  Jews  from  Rome  some  time  between  50  and 

52  a.d.  The  Roman  historian  Suetonius  says  that  this  was 
done  on  account  of  Jewish  tumults  instigated  by  a  person  named 
Chrestus  (i.  e.,  Christus  or  Christ).  From  this  testimony  it  is 
clear  that  the  Jewish  Christians  in  Rome  had  been  attacked  by 
their  unbelieving  brethren. 

6.  Paul  apparently  could  not  earn  enough  at  this  time  for  his  sup- 

port:    See  2  Cor.  11  :g. 

7.  Mark  Corinth  with  a  cross  upon  your  outline  map. 

The  Scenes  of  Corinth  :  How  deeply  Paul  was  affected  by  the 
scenes  of  the  city  of  Corinth  may  be  seen  in  the  Corinthian  Epistles. 
His  illustrations  are  those  chiefly  drawn  from  the  Gentile  customs — 
the  lovely  stadium,  in  which  he  had  looked  with  sympathy  on  the 
grace  and  swiftness  of  many  a  youthful  athlete  (1  Cor.  9:24)  ;  the 
boxing-matches  (1  Cor.  9:26  and  27);  the  insulting  vanity  of  a 
Roman  triumph  (2  Cor.  2:14-16)  ;  the  long  hair  of  effeminate  dandies 
(1  Cor.  11:14)  ;  the  shows  of  the  theater  (1  Cor.  4:9)  ;  the  fading 
garland  of  Isthmian  pine  (1  Cor.  9:25). — Adapted  from  Canon 
Farrar. 


106  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  XIV  :2 

Study  XIV. — JFrom  fttljciig  to  &ntioc{) 
Second  Day:     Paul's  First  Epistle  to  the  Thessalo- 

nians 

While  Paul  was  working  among  the  Jews  and  proselytes  in  Cor- 
inth, Silas  and  Timothy  came  from  Macedonia.     Timothy  brought 
Paul  cheering  news  of  the  Church  at  Thessalonica.    Thereupon  Paul 
wrote  his  First  Epistle  to  the  Thessalonians. 
i.  Read  I  Thessalonians  3:6  and  7,  and  Acts  18:5. 

2.  Acts  15:5:    ''Paul  was  constrained  by  the  word"  (R.V.)  ;  that  is, 

he  felt  impelled  more  than  ever  to  preach  the  Gospel.  He  had 
cheering  news  from  the  Thessalonian  Church,  he  had  the  pres- 
ence and  sympathy  of  Silas  and  Timothy,  and  he  was  relieved 
of  the  necessity  of  constant  labor. 

3.  On  learning  of  the  faith  and  good  works  of  the  Thessalonians 

and  of  their  patience  under  persecution,  Paul  wrote  the  letter 
known  as  First  Thessalonians.  It  was  addressed  to  all  the  dis- 
ciples at  Thessalonica.  This  letter  shows  the  affection  of  St. 
Paul  for  his  converts,  his  great  desire  to  see  them,  his  sym- 
pathy with  them  in  their  sufferings,  and  his  fervent  wish  that 
they  might  have  rich  spiritual  gifts. 

4.  Read  First   Thessalonians.     Even   if  read  slowly,   less  than  ten 

minutes  will  be  required  for  the  entire  Epistle. 

5.  From  this  letter  much  can  be  learned  concerning  the  Thessalonian 

Church : 

(a)  Was  the  Church  composed  chiefly  of  Jews  or  of  Gentiles? 

(b)  What  was  the  influence  of  the  Church? 

(c)  What  sufferings  had  befallen  them? 

(d)  They  were  anxious   about  the  second   coming  of   Christ. 
What  does  Paul  say  about  this  second  coming? 

The  Second  Coming:  Many  of  the  early  Christians  believed  that 
Christ  would  return  to  earth  with  power  and  glory  in  their  own 
generation ;  little  by  little  they  came  to  see  that  the  prophetic  words 
as  to  His  return  referred  rather  to  the  passing  away  of  the  Jewish 
dispensation  and  the  gradual  growth  of  the  Kingdom  of  God — the 
beginning  of  the  last  great  period  in  God's  dealings  with  man. 


XIV  :3  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  107 

Study  XIV. — jFrom  Slt&ens  to  &ntioc|) 

Third  Day:     Paul  Labors  Among    the    Gentiles    at 

Corinth 

Strengthened  and  helped  by  the  presence  of  Silas  and  Timothy, 
Paul  preached  among  the  Jews  of  Corinth  with  great  power.  When 
some  of  the  unbelieving  Jews  opposed  him,  and  blasphemed  the  Gos- 
pel, Paul  abandoned  his  work  among  his  fellow-countrymen,  and 
turned  to  the  Gentiles.  No  slight  danger  seems  to  have  threatened 
Paul  at  this  time,  for  the  Lord  appeared  to  him  in  a  vision,  and 
bade  him  banish  his  fear  of  injury. 

1.  Read  Acts  18:5-11. 

2.  Paul's  first  converts  at  Corinth:    1  Corinthians  16:15;  Acts  18:8. 

These  first  converts  Paul  himself  baptized:  1  Cor.  1 :  14-16;  many 
of  the  Corinthian  converts  were  of  humble  rank :  1  Cor.  1  '.26. 

3.  Paul's  gospel :    At  Athens  Paul  had  spoken  to  please  his  Athen- 

ian audience,  touching  on  the  philosophy  of  religion  and  quoting 
the  Greek  poets ;  at  Corinth  he  determined  to  preach  in  a  more 
direct  manner:    See  1  Cor.  2:1-4,  and  1  Cor.  1:17  and  18. 

4.  Paul's  depression  of  mind  while  at  Corinth :    See  1  Cor.  2  '.3. 

5.  Paul's  reassuring  vision:   Acts  18:9  and  10.    Why  was  this  vision 

sent  Paul?  A  literal  translation  of  the  latter  part  of  verse  9 
would  be :    "Keep  on  speaking,  do  not  be  silent  for  a  minute." 

6.  The  "year  and  six  months"  of  verse  11  probably  fell  within  the 

years  52  to  54  a.d. 

"How  sweetly  flowed  the  Gospel's  sound 
From  lips  of  gentleness  and  grace, 
While  listening  thousands  gathered  round, 
And  joy  and  gladness  filled  the  place! 

"Come,  wanderers,  to  my  Father's  home; 
Come,  all  ye  weary  ones,  and  rest. 
Yes,  sacred  Teacher,  we  will  come, 
Obey  Thee,  love  Thee,  and  be  blest." 

— John  Bowring. 


io8  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  XIV -.4 

Study  XIV. — JFrom  8tl)cns  to  ^ntiocb 
Fourth  Day:     Paul's  Second  Epistle  to  the  Thessa- 

lonians 

In  his  First  Epistle  to  the  Thessalonians  Paul  had  spoken  of  the 
second  coming  of  Christ  as  near  at  hand.  Influenced  by  this,  some 
of  the  Thessalonians  ceased  to  work,  neglected  their  every-day  du- 
ties, and  gave  themselves  up  to  religious  enthusiasm.  To  correct  this 
tendency,  St.  Paul  wrote  his  Second  Epistle  to  the  Thessalonians,  in 
which  he  shows  them  what  things  must  take  place  before  Christ 
comes  the  second  time. 

1.  What  did  Paul  say  in  First  Thessalonians  regarding  the  second 

coming  of  Christ?     See  1  Thess.  5:1-3,  and  4:13-18. 

2.  Read  2  Thessalonians,  chapter  2. 

3.  In   the   chapter  just   read   Paul   seeks  to  allay  the   fears   of   the 

Thessalonians  concerning  the  second  coming  of  Christ.  What 
he  means,  however,  is  not  clear,  for  his  language  is  very 
guarded.  He  had,  while  with  them,  given  more  definite  in- 
formation (2  Thess.  2:5).  Various  conjectures  have  been  made 
regarding  the  "man  of  sin,  the  son  of  perdition"  (verse  3). 
St.  Augustine  says,  "I  confess  I  am  entirely  ignorant  what 
the  Apostle  meant."  One  theory  is  that  the  Roman  Emperor 
was  the  son  of  perdition  whom  Paul  had  in  mind.  Some  Prot- 
estants have  held  that  it  was  the  Pope :  some  Catholics  that  it 
was  Martin  Luther. 

4.  Some  one  seems  to  have  forged  a  letter  over  Paul's  name,  and  to 

have  sent  it  to  the  Thessalonians :  2  Thess.  2  :2.     Consequently 

Paul,  who  apparently  always  employed  an  amanuensis  to  write 

his  letters,  from  this  time  forth  adds  in  his  own  handwriting  a 

few  lines  to  each  of  his  epistles  as  a  sign  of  authenticity.     See 

2  Thess.  3:17;  1  Cor.  16:21;  Galatians  6:11;  Colossians  4:18. 

Thought  for  the  Day:    Are  you  willing  that  the  Spirit  of  God 

should  come  into  your  heart  and  dwell  there  ?    Are  you  anxious  that 

His   Kingdom   should  now   include  you?     Are  you  willing  to  put 

from  you  those  things  that  might  keep  the  Heavenly  Guest  from 

entering  into  your  soul? 


XIV  :5  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  109 

Study  XIV. — Jrom  &t&eas;  to  StntiocJ) 

Fifth  Day  :    A  Mob  Attacks  Paul  at  Corinth 

Certain  of  the  unbelieving  Jews  of  Corinth,  angered  because  of 
Paul's  successful  work  among  the  Gentiles,  stirred  up  a  mob,  and 
brought  him  before  the  Roman  proconsul  on  the  charge  that  he  was 
teaching  an  unlawful  religion.  The  proconsul  contemptuously  dis- 
missed the  case,  whereupon  the  Greeks  seized  the  ringleader  of  the 
Jews,  and  gave  him  a  beating. 

1.  Read  Acts  18:12-17. 

2.  What  was  the  real  reason  which  led  the  Jews  to  stir  up  perse- 

cution against  Paul? 

3.  Gallio,  the  proconsul  of  Achaia,  was  the  brother  of  the  philosopher 

Seneca,  and  uncle  of  the  poet  Lucan.  "He  was  the  very  flower 
of  pagan  courtesy  and  pagan  culture — a  Roman  with  all  a 
Roman's  dignity  and  seriousness,  and  yet  with  all  the  grace 
and  versatility  of  a  polished  Greek." 

4.  Verse  13 :    The  Jewish  law  is  meant  by  "the  law"  of  this  verse. 

Throughout  the  Roman  Empire  the  Jewish  religion  was  a 
religio  licita,  or  lawful  religion.  The  Jews  of  Corinth  tried  to 
persuade  Gallio  that  the  Christian  religion  was  a  spurious  imi- 
tation of  their  own  religion,  and  hence  a  religio  illicita,  or  un- 
lawful religion. 

5.  Verses  14  and  15 :   Gallio  shows  that  he  understands  perfectly  the 

Jewish  fondness  for  idle  discussions  of  the  Jewish  law.  He 
was  probably  in  Rome  at  the  time  when  Claudius  expelled  the 
Jews.     See  Acts  18 :2. 

6.  Verse  17:    The  Jews  were  unpopular  among  the  Gentiles  in  St. 

Paul's  time.  It  was  always  easy  to  stir  up  a  mob  against 
them ;  Jew-baiting  was  not  uncommon.  The  contemptuous  man- 
ner in  which  the  proconsul  dismissed  the  case  was  the  signal 
for  the  lively  Greeks  to  attack  Sosthenes  and  give  him  a 
beating. 

7.  "And  Gallio  cared  for  none  of  these  things."    Perhaps  he  thought 

that  the  informal  punishment  of  Sosthenes  would  be  a  valuable 
lesson. 

Prayer  :  "0  Lord,  in  whom  is  the  truth,  help  us,  we  entreat  Thee, 
to  speak  the  truth  in  love,  to  hate  a  lie,  to  eschew  exaggeration,  in- 
accuracy, affectation.  Yea,  though  tribulation  or  persecution  should 
arise  for  the  Truth's  sake,  suffer  us  not  to  be  offended."    Amen. 


no  Studies  in   the  Life  of  St.  Paul  XIV  :6 

Study  XIV— JFrom  ^ttljcns  to  9tntiocI) 

Sixth  Day  :     Paul  Returns  from  Corinth  to  Antioch 

by  Way  of  Ephesus 

After  laboring  for  many  months  in  Corinth,  Paul  at  last  left  the 
city  to  return  to  Antioch  in  Syria.  On  the  voyage  he  stopped  at 
Ephesus  for  a  few  days.  From  Ephesus  he  sailed  to  Caesarea.  From 
Caesarea  he  went  up  to  Jerusalem  and  greeted  the  Church,  then  pro- 
ceeded overland  to  Antioch. 

1.  Read  Acts  18:18-22. 

2.  Verse  18: 

(a)  How  long  had  Paul  been  in  Corinth  prior  to  the  event  of 
yesterday's  lesson?     See  verse  II. 

(b)  Who  were  Aquila  and  Priscilla? 

(c)  Locate  Cenchreae. 

(d)  Paul  had  taken  upon  himself  the  vow  of  a  Nazarite :  see 
Numbers  6:1-21.  Paul,  as  is  seen  from  to-day's  lesson, 
did  not  abandon  all  of  the  Jewish  rites  and  ceremonies. 
However,  he  held  that  they  were  not  necessary  for  sal- 
vation. 

3.  Locate  Ephesus,  and  mark  it  with  a  cross.     From  verses   19-21 

nothing  can  be  learned  concerning  the  success  of  Paul's  labors 
during  his  brief  stay  in  Ephesus,  save  that  the  Jews  desired 
him  to  remain  longer. 

4.  Verse  22 :    Of  this  visit  to  Jerusalem  nothing  is  known. 

5.  Verse  22 :    At  Antioch  Paul  must  have  received  a  warm  and  en- 

thusiastic welcome.  Judging  from  Acts  14:27,  what  did  Paul 
do  immediately  upon  his  return  to  Antioch? 

6.  In  what  cities  had  Paul  preached  during  this  second  missionary 

journey? 
Thought  for  the  Day  :  After  his  return  from  Greece  to  Antioch 
the  wickedness  of  Corinth  seems  still  to  have  weighed  heavily  upon 
Paul's  heart,  for  in  the  Epistle  to  the  Galatians,  written  at  Antioch, 
Paul  speaks  in  particular  of  the  "lusts  of  the  flesh."  Read  carefully 
Galatians  5:16-21,  and  ask  yourself  whether  any  of  these  sins  have 
dominion  over  you.  Pray  Him  that  you  may  have  strength  to  resist 
them. 


XIV 7  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  in 

Study  XIV. — JFrom  &tfoens  to  &nttocI) 
Seventh  Day:     Paul  Writes  the  Epistle  to  the 

Galatians 

After  his  return  to  Antioch,  Paul  learned  that  certain  Judaizing 
Christians  had  been  at  work  among  his  Galatian  converts,  teaching 
them  that  they  must  be  circumcised  and  must  keep  the  Mosaic  Law. 
These  teachers  sought  to  increase  their  own  influence  by  alleging 
that  Paul  was  not  a  genuine  apostle  since  he  had  not  seen  the  Lord 
Jesus,  and  had  not  derived  his  commission  from  the  apostles  at 
Jerusalem. 

To  vindicate  his  authority  as  an  apostle,  and  to  show  that  the  law 
of  Moses  was  not  binding  upon  Christians,  Paul  wrote  his  Epistle 
to  the  Galatians. 
i.  Who  were  the  Galatians?     See  page  79,  section  4. 

2.  Paul's  authority  as  an  apostle:   Galatians  1:1. 

3.  Paul's  independence: 

(a)  The  source  of  his  gospel:    Gal.  1  :n  and  12. 

(b)  His   relation  to  the  apostles   at  Jerusalem:     Gal.    1:15-20 
and  Gal.  2:1-10. 

4.  The  fickleness  of  the  Galatians  and  their  desertion  to  Judaism : 

Gal.  1 :6-g;  4:9-11. 

5.  The  Law  was  preparatory  to  the  coming  of  Christ:    Gal.  4:1-8. 

6.  Faith  in  Christ,  not  the  law,  brings  righteousness:    Gal.  5:1-6. 

7.  Review  rapidly  the  lessons  of  this  Study  (XIV)   by  reading  the 

introductory  paragraph  of  each. 
Thought  for  To-day:   In  the  Epistle  to  the  Galatians,  over  against 
the  "lusts  of  the  flesh,"  noticed  yesterday,  Paul  puts  the  "fruits  of 
the  Spirit."    Read  Galatians  5:22-26,  and  ask  yourself  whether  you 
are  trying  to  show  these  fruits  of  the  Spirit. 


PART  VI 

Paul's  Third  Missionary  Journey 

Study  XV. — From  Antioch  to  Ephesus 
Study  XVI. — From  Ephesus  to  Corinth 
Study  XVII. — Paul's   Last   Journey   to   Jerusalem 


XV:  i  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  ii$ 


Study  XV.— JFrom  ^titioc!)  to  Cp&eatts 

First    Day:     Paul    Travels    Through    Galatia    and 

Phrygia:    Apollos  Goes  to  Ephesus 

After  a  stay  of  some  little  time  in  Ephesus,  Paul  started  out  on  his 
third  missionary  journey;  he  passed  through  Galatia  into  Phrygia, 
his  destination  being  Ephesus.  Meanwhile  Apollos,  a  learned  and 
eloquent  Jew  of  Alexandria,  arrived  at  Ephesus  and  began  to  teach 
among  the  Jews.  Apollos,  however,  was  imperfectly  instructed  in 
Christianity,  knowing  only  the  baptism  of  John.  Aquila  and  Pris- 
cilla,  however,  taught  him  what  was  lacking. 

1.  Read  Acts  18:23. 

(a)  Paul's  route  was  doubtless  similar  to  that  on  his  second 
missionary  journey:     See  Acts  15  :40  and  41;  16:1-6. 

(b)  Timothy   was   probably   with    Paul   at   this   time,   for  the 
apostle  seems  never  to  have  traveled  alone. 

2.  Read  Acts  18:24-28. 

3.  Alexandria,  in  Egypt,  was  founded  by  Alexander  the  Great  in 

332  B.C.  Because  of  its  location  and  its  fine  harbor  it  became 
one  of  the  centers  of  trade  between  the  east  and  west ;  it  grew 
rapidly,  and  soon  contained  a  large  population  of  Egyptians, 
Greeks,  and  Jews.  The  city  had  many  handsome  buildings, 
among  which  were  the  Museum  and  the  great  library.  The 
Jews  of  Alexandria  were  profoundly  influenced  by  the  liter- 
ary atmosphere  of  the  brilliant  Greek  city  in  which  they  lived, 
and  were  so  much  interested  in  Greek  culture  that  they  diligently 
studied  the  Old  Testament  Scriptures,  seeking  to  find  parallels 
and  analogies  between  them  and  the  writings  of  the  Greek 
philosophers.    With  this  kind  of  learning  Apollos  was  saturated. 

4.  Verse  25 :    There  were  Jews  here  and  there  who  had  believed 

in  the  preaching  of  John,  and  had  accepted  the  baptism  of  re- 
pentance, but  as  yet  did  not  know  the  doctrine  of  salvation  by 
faith  nor  of  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Such  was  the  spirit- 
ual condition  of  Apollos. 

5.  When   did  Aquila  and   Priscilla    (verse  26)    come  to  Ephesus? 

Acts  18:2. 

6.  What  part  of  Greece  was  designated  as  Achaia?    What  was  the 

capital  of  Achaia? 


Il6  Studies   in    the   Life   of  St.   Paul  XV .2 

Study  XV. — JFtoin  ftntiocl)  to  ©pbccmg 
Second  Day:     Paul  Arrives  at  Ephesus 

When  Paul  reached  Ephesus,  Apollos  was  already  in  Corinth. 
At  Ephesus  Paul  found  several  disciples,  who,  like  Apollos,  knew 
only  of  the  baptism  of  John.  These  men,  after  Paul  had  taught 
them,  and  had  laid  his  hands  on  them,  received  the  Holy  Spirit. 

1.  Read  Acts  19:1-7. 

2.  Verse  1:    Had  Paul  been  in  Ephesus  before?    At  what  time,  and 

how  long  did   he  stay?     Acts    18:19  and  20. 

3.  Ephesus  was  the  capital  of  the  Roman  province  of  Asia,  which 

consisted  of  Mysia,  Lydia,  and  Caria — the  greater  part  of 
western  Asia  Minor.  Ephesus  was  also  the  religious  center 
of  Asia  Minor,  for  in  it  was  the  famous  temple  of  Artemis,  or 
Diana,  which  was  one  of  the  seven  wonders  of  the  world.  This 
temple  contained  an  image  of  Artemis,  which  fell  down  from 
heaven  (Acts  19:35),  also  art  treasures  of  immense  value.  The 
Ephesians  were  notorious  for  their  belief  in  magical  arts  and 
for  the  use  of  amulets  of  parchment  inscribed  with  incanta- 
tions. 

4.  Paul  now  begins  a  long  and  eventful  period  of  labor  in  the  capital 

of  the  Roman  province  of  Asia.  In  what  capitals  has  he  al- 
ready labored? 

5.  Verse  2 :    John  and  his  first  disciples  were  not  ignorant  of  the 

baptism  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  but  they  seem  not  to  have  under- 
stood its  significance.  See  the  words  of  John  the  Baptist  in 
Mark  1 :8  and  John  1 '.32  and  33. 

6.  Verse  4 :   It  would  seem  from  this  verse  that  the  twelve  men  with 

whom  Paul  was  speaking  knew  little  or  nothing  about  Jesus  as 
the  Messiah. 

"Holy  Ghost,  with  light  divine 
Shine  upon  this  heart  of  mine; 
Chase  the  shades  of  night  away, 
Turn  my  darkness  into  day. 

"Holy  Spirit,  all  divine, 

Dwell  within  this  heart  of  mine ; 
Cast  down  every  idol-throne, 
Reign  supreme,  and  reign  alone." 

— Andrew  Reed. 


XV  :3  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  117 

Study  XV. — Jrom  Stnttocb  to  (Ep&estts 

Third  Day:     Paul  Withdraws  from  the  Synagogue 
to  the  School  of  Tyrannus 

For  three  months  Paul  taught  in  the  synagogue,  but  meeting  with 
opposition  from  the  unbelieving  Jews,  he  withdrew  to  a  school  build- 
ing, in  which  he  taught  and  preached  for  the  next  two  years.  From 
Ephesus  the  Gospel  spread  throughout  the  whole  province  of  Asia. 
So  mightily  did  the  Spirit  of  God  rest  upon  Paul  that  special 
miracles  were  wrought  by  his  hands. 

1.  Read  Acts  19:8-12. 

2.  Verse  9:    Tyrannus  was  probably  a  Sophist,  a  teacher  cf  rhetoric 

and  philosophy.  He  would  rent  his  building  to  any  one  whose 
teachings  did  not  conflict  with  his  own. 

3.  "Reasoning  daily  in  the  school  of  Tyrannus"  (verse  9).     There 

were  many  questions  to  discuss,  not  only  the  doctrines  of 
Christianity,  but  the  relation  of  pagan  life  to  Christianity — ques- 
tions about  marriage  and  divorce,  slavery,  the  use  of  meat  of- 
fered to  idols,  etc. 

4.  Verse  10:    Observe  the  thoroughness  with  which  the  Gospel  is 

spread  throughout  Roman  Asia.  In  this  province  were  those 
seven  churches  of  Asia  to  whom  John  wrote  in  Revelation:  See 
Rev.  1:11.  Paul  himself  may  have  founded  all  these  churches 
with  the  exception  of  that  in  Laodicea:  Col.  2:1.  Locate  these 
places  on  your  outline  map,  and  mark  them  with  crosses. 

5.  Verses  11  and  12:    Why  were  the  miracles  of  St.  Paul  likely  to 

attract  special  attention  at  Ephesus?     See  page  116,  section  3. 

6.  Verse  12:    The  aprons  mentioned  in  this  verse   Paul  may  have 

worn  while  working  at  his  trade  of  tent-making. 
Prayer:    "Help  me,  O  Lord,  that  by  devotion  to  Thee  and  by 
the  sweetness  and  purity  of  my  life,  I  may  bring  others  to  Thee, 
and  thus,  like  the  blessed   Apostle  St.   Paul,  aid  in  spreading  the 
Kingdom  on  earth."    Amen. 


mS  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Pan!  XV -.4 

Study  XV. — JFrom  8nttocb  to  (Epljeatis 
Fourth  Day  :     The  Ephesians  Burn  Their  Books  of 

Magic 

In  Ephesus,  the  city  of  magic  and  of  wonders,  certain  Jewish 
exorcists,  learning  of  Paul's  miracles,  undertook  to  make  use  of  his 
name  and  that  of  Jesus  in  casting  out  evil  spirits.  The  consequences 
were  so  disastrous  to  the  exorcists  that  fear  fell  upon  the  Ephesians, 
and  many  of  them  who  had  patronized  or  practiced  magic  renounced 
their  deeds  and  burnt  their  books. 

1.  Read  Acts  19:13-20. 

2.  Verse  13 :    An  exorcist  is  one  who  casts  out  evil  spirits.     These 

men  probably  professed  to  cure  diseases  by  charms  and  in- 
cantations ;  their  methods  may  have  been  somewhat  like  the 
"medicine-men"  of  the  North  American  Indians. 

3.  Why  did  these  exorcists  make  use  of  the  names  of  Jesus  and 

of  Paul? 

4.  Verse  16 :    Only  two  of  the  sons  of  Sceva  were  concerned  on  this 

occasion.     Note  that  the  R.V.   says  "mastered  both  of  them." 

5.  Verses  17-20: 

(a)  Verse  18:  Many  of  the  converted  Ephesians  had  apparently 
continued  to  patronize  or  practice  sorcery,  magic,  and 
soothsaying,  perhaps  not  realizing  that  there  was  any  evil 
in  such  a  course.  They  now  are  led  to  see  the  folly  of 
such  superstitious  rites. 

(b)  The  Jews  had  magic  formulas  and  receipts  for  incanta- 
tions and  exorcisms  dating  from  the  time  of  Solomon ;  the 
Ephesians  had  charms  made  up  of  the  words  written  upon 
the  crown,  girdle,  and  feet  of  the  statue  of  Artemis  (or 
Diana).  These  were  the  Ephesia  grammata,  mentioned  by 
ancient  writers. 

(c)  The  "pieces  of  silver"  were  probably  Greek  drachmae.  As 
the  drachma  was  worth  a  little  less  than  twenty  cents,  the 
value  of  the  books  was  almost  ten  thousand  dollars. 

The  Mystery  of  the  Gospel  :  In  his  letter  to  the  Ephesians,  the 
people  who  made  so  much  of  magic  and  mystery,  Paul  has  much 
to  say  concerning  the  "mystery  of  Christ"  and  the  "mystery  of  the 
Gospel."    Read  Ephesians  3:1-12. 


XV  :5  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  119 


Study  XV.— from  Stnttor^  to  €$tms 

Fifth  Day:    Details  of  Paul's  Work  at  Ephesus 

Certain  details  of  Paul's  work  at  Ephesus  may  be  gathered  from 
incidental  allusions  in  his  First  Epistle  to  the  Corinthians,  and  from 
a  speech  delivered  at  Miletus  to  the  elders  of  Ephesus,  reported  in 
Acts  20:17-36. 

1.  The  field,  its  advantages  and  disadvantages:    1  Cor.  16:8  and  9. 

2.  The  thoroughness  of  Paul's  work:    Acts  19:10  and  20:20. 

3.  Paul's  doctrine :    Acts  20 :2i. 

4.  His  earnestness:   Acts  20:31. 

5.  Paul  worked  at  his  trade:    Acts  20:34;  his  reason  for  so  doing: 

Acts  20 :35. 

6.  At  this  time  Paul  may  have  suffered  some  of  the  hardships  which 

he  mentions  in  his  two  letters  to  the  Corinthians:    See  1  Cor. 
4:9-13  and  2  Cor.  11 :24-28. 

7.  Paul  plans  to  visit  Macedonia  and  Achaia;  he  sends  two  of  his 

helpers  on  in  advance :    See  Acts  19 :2i  and  22. 

8.  Acts    19:22:    Erastus   was   a  person   of   no   little   importance  at 

Corinth:  See  Romans  16:23 — an  Epistle  written  at  Corinth. 
A  Monument  of  Paul's  Work  :  The  most  astonishing  monument 
of  the  success  of  Paul's  work  at  Ephesus  is  his  Epistle  to  the  Ephe- 
sians.  "This  is  perhaps  the  profoundest  book  in  existence ;  yet  its 
author  evidently  expected  the  Ephesians  to  understand  it.  If  the  ora- 
tions of  Demosthenes,  with  their  closely  packed  arguments,  between 
whose  articulations  even  a  knife  cannot  be  thrust,  be  a  monument 
of  the  intellectual  greatness  of  the  Greece  which  listened  to  them 
with  pleasure;  if  the  plays  of  Shakespeare,  with  their  deep  views  of 
life  and  their  obscure  and  complex  language,  be  a  testimony  to  the 
strength  of  mind  of  the  Elizabethan  Age;  then  the  Epistle  to  the 
Ephesians,  which  sounds  the  lowest  depths  of  Christian  doctrine  and 
scales  the  loftiest  heights  of  Christian  experience,  is  a  testimony  to 
the  proficiency  which  Paul's  converts  had  attained  under  his  preach- 
ing at  Ephesus." — Stalker. 


120  Studies  in   the  Life  of  St.  Paul  XV  :6 

Study  XV. — JFrom  &nttocI)  to  Cpbcsufi 
Sixth  Day:     Trouble  in  the  Church  at  Corinth 

During  his  sojourn  of  three  years  at  Ephesus,  Paul  seems  to  have 
made  a  visit  to  Corinth  not  recorded  by  Luke  in  the  book  of  Acts ; 
he  also  wrote  a  letter  to  the  Corinthians  which  is  not  extant.  A 
little  later  Paul  learned  that  there  were  factions  in  the  Church  at 
Corinth.  About  the  same  time,  also,  three  men  came  from  Corinth 
bearing  a  letter  in  which  the  Corinthians  asked  the  Apostle  for 
light  on  certain  vexatious  questions. 

1.  Paul's  second  visit  to  Corinth:    Read  2  Cor.  13:1.     Paul  visited 

Corinth  the  first  time  on  his  second  missionary  journey.  In 
the  verse  just  read  he  says  he  is  coming  for  the  third  time. 
The  second  visit  was  therefore  made,  in  all  likelihood,  from 
Ephesus.  Paul  visited  them  "with  sorrow":  2  Cor.  2:1 
(R.V.).  They  had  relapsed  into  heathen  vice;  he  rebuked  and 
warned  them. 

2.  Paul's  lost  letter  to  the  Corinthians :  See  1  Cor.  5  :g.    This  letter 

was  written  to  correct  the  immoral  tendencies  of  the  Corinth- 
ians. It  was  sent,  probably,  soon  after  the  visit  mentioned  in 
the  paragraph  above. 

3.  News  of  fresh  trouble  at  Corinth : 

(a)  Paul  learns  of  factions  in  the  Church:    1  Cor.  1:11. 

(b)  A  case  of  gross  immorality:    I  Cor.  5:1. 

(c)  Law-suits   between   Church   members   before  pagan   tribu- 
nals:  1  Cor.  6:1. 

4.  Three  members  of  the  Corinthian  Church  visit  Paul :    1  Cor.  16:17. 

They  probably  brought  the  letter  mentioned  by  Paul  in  1  Cor. 
7:1. 

5.  In  the  letter  sent  to  Paul,  the  Corinthians  ask  Paul  for  advice  on 

certain  matters  pertaining  to  moral  conduct  and  to  worship. 

Paul  on  Christian  Love:  Paul's  cure  for  the  factions  and  dis- 
orders of  the  Corinthian  Church  was  love.  Read  the  thirteenth 
chapter  of  First  Corinthians.  If  you  read  the  A.V.  be  sure  to  sub- 
stitute throughout  the  chapter  the  word  love  for  the  word  charity. 


XV  7  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  121 

Study  XV. — iFrom  &nttoc|)  to  ^p&estts 
Seventh   Day:     Paul's    First    Epistle  to    the    Cor- 
inthians 

Paul,  on  learning  of  the  factions  in  the  Church  at  Corinth  and  of 
the  existence  of  gross  immorality,  now  writes  the  letter  known  as 
First  Corinthians.  In  this  epistle  he  also  answers  the  questions  asked 
in  the  letter  from  Corinth — brought  probably  by  Stephanas,  Fortun- 
atus,  and  Achaicus. 

1.  There  were  four  factions  at  Corinth,  consisting  of  the  followers 

of  Paul,  Apollos,  Cephas  or  Peter,  and  Christ.  Paul  had  been 
liberal  in  the  treatment  of  the  questions  arising  between  Jew 
and  Gentile,  hence  Paul's  party  was  the  liberal  faction ;  Apollos 
had  captivated  the  Greeks  with  the  philosophical  turn  which  he 
gave  his  preaching:  his  party  was  the  philosophical  faction; 
Peter's  party  was  the  Judaizing  faction ;  lastly,  those  who  fol- 
lowed neither  Paul  nor  Apollos  nor  Peter  called  themselves 
Christ's  party. 

2.  For  Paul's  treatment  of  these  factions,  read  1  Cor.  1 :  10-24. 

3.  Paul's  rebuke  of  gross  immorality:    1  Cor.  5:1-5,  and  9-11. 

4.  His  advice  to  those  who  were  fond  of  law-suits:    1  Cor.  6:1-7. 

5.  His    advice   concerning   the   observance   of   the   Lord's    Supper: 

1  Cor.  1 1 :20-30. 

6.  Paul  also  answers  in  this  letter  various  questions  asked  him  by 

the  Corinthian  Church :  On  marriage,  on  meat  offered  to  idols, 
on  the  conduct  of  public  worship,  on  the  use  of  spiritual  gifts. 

7.  He  instructs   the   Corinthians   to  get  ready  a   collection   for  the 

poor  at  Jerusalem  :  1  Cor.  16:1-4. 
Meat  Offered  to  Idols  :  One  of  the  questions  that  bothered  some 
of  the  early  Gentile  Christians  was  that  of  meat  offered  to  idols. 
In  ancient  sacrifice  oftentimes  only  part  of  the  victim  was  burned ; 
the  rest  of  the  carcass  was  returned  to  the  worshipper  or  given  to 
the  poor.  Is  it  right,  asked  the  Christians,  to  eat  such  meat?  For 
St.  Paul's  answer  read  1  Cor.  chapter  8.  The  principle  laid  down 
by  Paul  in  verses  9  to  13  is  the  one  that  should  be  kept  in  mind 
nowadays  by  those  Christians  who  honestly  differ  regarding  certain 
questions  of  amusement,  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath  day,  etc. 


122  Studies    in    the    Life   of   St.    Paul  XVI  :r 

Study  XVI. — from  Cpbcflud  to  Cortntf) 
First  Day:     Paul's  Troubles  at  Ephesus 

Paul's  troubles  at  Ephesus  were  twofold:  on  the  one  hand  the  im- 
morality and  disorder  of  the  Corinthian  Church  deeply  grieved 
him ;  on  the  other  hand  he  was  prostrated  by  a  severe  illness  in 
which  he  almost  despaired  of  life. 

i.  St.   Paul  sent  Timothy  to  Corinth  shortly  before  writing  First 
Corinthians:    See  Acts  19:22  and  1  Cor.  4:I7« 

2.  It  is  believed  by  some  scholars  that  Timothy  came  back   from 

Corinth  to  Ephesus  bringing  word  that  First  Corinthians  had 
not  been  received  altogether  with  favor.  Timothy  seems  to  have 
been  insulted  or  wronged  by  some  one:    2  Cor.  7:11  and  12. 

3.  Grieved   by   the   news   brought   by   Timothy,    St.    Paul    wrote   a 

letter,  which  is  not  extant.  This  letter  he  wrote  in  much 
anguish  of  mind:  2  Cor.  2:3  and  4,  and  2  Cor.  7:8.  In  this 
letter  Paul  urged  that  the  wrongdoer  be  disciplined. 

4.  The  letter  was  probably  sent  by  Titus  and  an  unknown  brother : 

2  Cor.  12:18. 

5.  Paul's  illness :    2  Cor.  1 :8  and  9.     This  illness  was  accompanied 

by  persecution  and  anxiety:  2  Cor.  4:8-10,  and  6:4  and  5. 

"The  terrible  closing  scenes  at  Ephesus,  the  revolt  of  Galatia  and 
Corinth,  and  the  prostrating  attack  of  sickness  by  their  concurrent 
effect  brought  Paul  into  the  lowest  depths  of  affliction,  and  God  is 
now  to  him  above  all  'the  Father  of  consolations.'  " 

St.  Paul's  Consolation  :  "Blessed  be  God,  even  the  Father  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Father  of  mercies  and  the  God  of  all 
comfort ;  who  comforteth  us  in  all  our  tribulation,  that  we  may  be 
able  to  comfort  them  which  are  in  any  trouble,  by  the  comfort  where- 
with we  ourselves  are  comforted  of  God.  For  as  the  sufferings  of 
Christ  abound  in  us,  so  our  consolation  also  aboundeth  by  Christ." 
— Second  Epistle  to  the  Corinthians,  1 13-5. 


XVI  .2  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  123 

Study  XVI. — jFrom  (Spjjeeitta  tn  Corintl) 

Second  Day:    Paul  is  Opposed  by  a  Shrine-Makers' 

Trade-Union 

Owing  to  Paul's  labors  in  Ephesus  and  neighboring  cities,  Chris- 
tianity spread  rapidly  throughout  the  province  of  Asia.  So  many 
converts  were  gained  from  paganism  that  the  tradesmen  who  sold 
silver  shrines  of  Artemis  (Diana)  were  aware  of  a  marked  decrease 
in  business.  Alarmed  at  this,  the  silversmiths  held  a  meeting  in 
order  to  take  steps  to  counteract  the  teaching  of  Paul.  The  meeting 
soon  became  noisy  and  turbulent. 

1.  Read  Acts  19:23-28. 

2.  Demetrius  seems  to  have  been  a  wholesale  dealer  in  shrines  of 

Artemis  (or  Diana).  The  influence  of  the  great  temple  of 
Artemis  at  Ephesus  had  been  very  powerful  up  to  this  time, 
and  the  sale  of  shrines  was  a  lucrative  business.  The  "crafts- 
men" of  verse  24  were  skilled  workmen  who  made  the  shrines. 

3.  Compare  verse  26  with  verse  10  of  this  same  chapter. 

4.  It  was  now  the  month  of  May,  a  month  devoted  at  Ephesus  to  the 

worship  of  Artemis,  and  hence  named  the  Artemisian  month.  At 
this  time  the  Ephesia  was  celebrated — a  festival  in  honor  of  the 
goddess.  To  this  festival  vast  throngs  of  pilgrims  and  visitors 
were  accustomed  to  flock.  Apparently,  however,  not  so  many 
came  as  usual,  or  else  there  was  in  other  ways  a  lack  of  in- 
terest in  the  celebration,  for  the  silversmiths  were  aware  of  a 
diminution  in  the  sale  of  shrines. 

5.  Verse   27 :     Some   years    later,    Pliny,    the    Roman    governor    of 

Bithynia,  in  a  letter  to  the  Emperor  Trajan,  wrote  that  owing  to 
the  spread  of  Christianity  in  Asia  the  temples   were  vacated, 
the  pagan  feasts  were  neglected,  and  victims  for  sacrifices  could 
find  no  buyers. 
Thought  for  the  Day  :    Do  men  oppose  Christianity  at  the  pres- 
ent time  because  its  teachings,  if  carried  out  in  practice,  cause  a 
diminution  of  their  business  profits?     Can  you  think  of  any  forms 
of  business  in  which  Christians  should  not  engage? 


124  Studies  in    the   Life   of  St.   Paul  XVI  :3 


Study  XVI. — JFrom  (£pj)C0tus  to  Count!) 
Third  Day:     The  Shrine-Makers  Cause  a  Riot 

The  meeting  of  silversmiths  and  workmen  who  had  gathered  to 
oppose  the  work  of  Paul  soon  became  so  noisy  that  people  came 
running  from  every  quarter  to  learn  the  cause  of  the  outcry.  Mad- 
dened with  religious  fanaticism,  the  mob  seized  two  of  Paul's  com- 
panions and  carried  them  into  the  theater.  So  great  was  the  uproar 
and  confusion  that  the  majority  of  those  present  did  not  know  why 
they  had  come  together. 

1.  Read  Acts  19:29-34. 

2.  Verse  29: 

(a)  Gaius  is  otherwise  unknown ;  Aristarchus  is  mentioned  sev- 
eral times  subsequently;  for  his  city  and  nationality,  see 
Acts  27:2. 

(b)  The  theater  at  Ephesus  would  seat  from  twenty-five  to 
thirty  thousand  people. 

3.  Why  did  Paul  wish  to  go  in  to  the  people  in  the  theater? 

4.  Verse  31 :«  The  "chief  officers  of  Asia"  were  local  officers  in  the 

*  cities  of  Asia  in  charge  of  the  games   and  religious   festivals 
of  the  province. 

5.  Verse  33 :     This  was  a  riot  directed  primarily  against  the  Chris- 

tians, but  as  many  of  the  Christians  were  Jews,  the  mob  failed 
to  discriminate  between  Christian  and  non-Christian  Jews.  So 
the  non-Christian  Jews  in  the  theater  put  forward  Alexander 
to  explain  that  Jews  were  not  Christians,  though  some  Chris- 
tians might  happen  to  be  renegade  Jews. 

"Alexander  succeeded  in  struggling  somewhere  to  the  front,  and 
stood  before  the  mob  with  outstretched  hand  in  the  attempt  to  win 
an  audience  for  his  oration.  But  no  sooner  had  the  mob  recognized 
the  well-known  traits  of  Jewish  physiognomy  than  they  vented  their 
hate  in  a  shout  of  'Great  is  Artemis  of  the  Ephesians !'  .  .  .  For 
two  hours,  as  though  they  had  been  howling  dervishes,  did  this 
mongrel  Greek  crowd  continue  incessantly  their  senseless  yell.  By 
that  time  they  were  sufficiently  exhausted  to  render  it  possible  to 
get  a  hearing." — Canon  Farrar. 


XVI  :4  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  125 

Study  XVI. — from  (Kpljesittfif  to  Corintl) 

Fourth  Day:    The  Shrine-Makers'  Riot  (Continued) 

For  two  hours  the  mob  shouted  its  fanatical  cry,  "Great  is  Artemis 
cf  the  Ephesians  !"  Then  the  town  clerk  quieted  them,  and  by  a 
wise  and  sensible  speech  led  them  to  disperse. 

1.  Read  Acts  19:35-41. 

2.  Notes  on  verse  35 : 

(a)  Town  clerk:  He  was  the  recorder  of  the  city,  had  charge 
of  the  archives,  and  made  all  public  communications  known 
to  the  city. 

(b)  In  this  verse,  as  in  verses  24,  27,  28,  and  34,  the  Greek 
name  Artemis  should  appear  rather  than  the  Latin  Diana. 
Similarly,  Zeus  should  be  substituted  for  Jupiter. 

(c)  The  image  fabled  to  have  fallen  from  heaven  was  "a  figure 
swathed  like  a  mummy,  covered  with  monstrous  breasts, 
and  holding  in  one  hand  a  trident  and  in  the  other  a 
club." 

3.  Verse  37 : 

(a)  The  Jews  were  often  accused  of  temple-robbing.  '  See 
Romans  2:22  (R.V.). 

(b)  From  the  latter  part  of  this  verse  what  do  you  infer 
regarding  Paul's  treatment  of  the  worship  of  Artemis  at 
Ephesus?  How  did  Paul  treat  the  pagan  religion  of 
Athens? 

4.  Verses  38-41 : 

(a)  The  Greek  word  rendered  "deputies"  in  the  A.V.  is  cor- 
rectly given  as  "proconsuls"  in  the  R.V. 

(b)  Verse  40  hints  at  fear  of  the  Roman  authorities.  This 
was  one  of  the  occasions  when  the  Roman  power  indirectly 
helped  the  Christians.  What  other  instance  of  this  sort  do 
you  recall? 

(c)  Perhaps  the  town  clerk,  like  the  "chief  officers  of  Asia" 
(verse  31),  favored  Paul. 

Read  the  entire  account  of  this  riot,  verses  23-41,  and  compel 
your  imagination  to  picture  to  you  the  scenes  described  by  Luke. 


126  Studies  in   the  Life  of  St.  Paul  XVI  :5 


Study  XVI. — JFrom  (Kpbcfitifi  to  Cortntl) 

Fifth    Day:     Paul   Goes  to    Macedonia   and    Writes 

Second  Corinthians 

Shortly  after  the  riot  at  Ephesus,  Paul  left  for  Macedonia.  He 
had  previously  instructed  Titus,  who  had  gone  to  Corinth,  to  meet 
him  at  Troas.  Not  finding  Titus  at  Troas,  Paul  was  greatly  dis- 
appointed, and  went  on  into  Macedonia.  In  Macedonia,  Titus 
came  to  Paul,  bringing  news  that  the  Corinthians  had  punished  the 
offender  against  whom  Paul  had  written,  and  that  the  four  factions 
of  the  Church  had  now  resolved  themselves  into  two:  the  followers 
of  Paul  and  the  enemies  of  Paul.  The  enemies  of  Paul  attacked 
his  claim  to  apostleship,  accused  him  of  vacillation,  and  even  criti- 
cised his  speech  and  personal  appearance.  Paul  then  wrote  his 
Second  Epistle  to  the  Corinthians,  which  is  the  most  personal  of 
all  his  letters,  since  it  is  filled  with  allusions  to  himself,  his  experi- 
ences, his  inner  life,  his  thoughts  and  fears. 

i.  Paul's  departure  for  Macedonia: 

(a)  Read  Acts  20:1. 

(b)  He  fails  to  find  Titus  at  Troas:    2  Cor.  2:12  and  13. 

(c)  Locate  Troas. 

2.  Titus  joins  Paul  in  Macedonia:    2  Cor.  7:5-7. 

(a)  What  kind  of  news  does  Titus  bring  Paul  concerning  the 
Church  at  Corinth? 

(b)  Titus  is  accompanied  by  two  unknown  brethren:    2  Cor. 
8:18  and  8:22-24. 

Prayer:  "O  God,  since  Thou  art  love,  and  he  that  loveth  not 
Thee  and  his  brethren  knoweth  Thee  not,  and  abideth  in  death, 
deliver  us  from  injustice,  envy,  hatred,  and  malice;  give  us  grace 
to  pardon  all  who  have  offended  us,  and  to  bear  with  one  another, 
even  as  Thou,  Lord,  dost  bear  with  us,  in  Thy  patience  and  great, 
loving  kindness."    Amen. 


XVI  :6  Studies  in   the  Life  of  St.  Paul  127 

Study  XVI. — JFrom  Cpijestta  to  Corintb 

Sixth  Day:     Second  Corinthians  (Continued) 

Second  Corinthians  is  very  difficult  to  study  owing  to  the  uncer- 
tainty of  the  order  of  the  events  to  which  it  refers,  and  owing  to 
the  obscurity  of  many  of  its  allusions.  On  the  other  hand,  the  letter 
is  unusually  rich  in  autobiographical  material.  Some  of  this  material 
has  already  been  used  for  study :  such  as  Paul's  illness  at  Ephesus, 
his  troubles,  his  anxious  suspense  while  waiting  for  Titus  to  return 
from  Corinth,  his  joy  at  learning  of  the  obedience  of  the  Corinthian 
Church.  The  verses  yet  remaining  for  study  are  chiefly  those 
relating  to  Paul's  defense  of  himself  against  his  enemies. 

1.  Paul  had  earlier  changed  his  original  plan  of  visiting  Corinth, 

whereupon  his  enemies  accused  him  of  weakness  and  vacilla- 
tion:    2  Cor.  1 115-24. 

2.  Some  of  the  insinuations  of  Paul's  enemies:   2  Cor.  10:10. 

3.  In   defending   himself  against   those  who   attacked   his   claim   to 

apostleship,  Paul  proudly  reviews  his  life  among  the  Cor- 
inthians; he  denounces  his  enemies,  and  boasts  of  his  Hebrew 
blood:    2  Cor.  11:1-22. 

4.  Paul  tells  of  his  sufferings  and  labors  for  the  cause  of  Christ: 

2  Cor.  11 :23-28.  In  these  verses,  Paul  mentions  many  events 
not  given  at  all  by  Luke  in  the  book  of  Acts. 

(a)  Verse  23 :  Only  one  imprisonment  of  Paul  is  known  from 
Luke's  narrative.     Where  did  it  take  place? 

(b)  Verse  24:  Luke  says  nothing  about  these  five  Jewish 
scourgings. 

(c)  Verse  25 :  Luke  tells  of  only  one  occasion  when  Paul 
was  beaten  with  rods;  where  was  it?  Paul  says  also  he 
was  shipwrecked  thre  times,  and  that  once  he  was  in  the 
water  twenty-four  hours.  Nothing  is  known  concerning 
these  experiences. 

5.  From  verses  23-27  of  chapter  11  of  Second  Corinthians  it  is  clear 

that  there  are  many  unwritten  and  unknown  chapters  in  the 
life  of  St.  Paul.  Some  of  these  experiences  he  may  have  had 
during  his  long  stay  at  Ephesus,  while  engaged  in  preaching 
tours  away  from  the  city. 

6.  Paul's  vision  of  Christ:     2  Cor.  12:1-6.     What  bearing  has  this 

vision  of  Christ  as  a  defense  of  Paul's  apostleship?  See  Acts 
1:21,  and  page  21,  section  6,  of  these  Studies. 


uS  Studies  in   the  Life  of  St,  Paul  XVI 7 

Study  XVI. — JFrom  Cpbcdua  to  Corintb 

Seventh  Day  :     Paul  Arrives  at  Corinth  :    He  Writes 

the  Epistle  to  the  Romans 

After  a  sojourn  in  Macedonia,  Paul  came  into  Greece.  He  made 
Corinth  his  headquarters,  and  while  in  that  city  wrote  his  Epistle 
to  the  Romans,  which,  of  all  his  letters,  is  the  most  systematic.  In 
it  he  sets  -forth  the  doctrine  of  "Justification  by  Faith."  The  letter 
contains  only  a  very  few  allusions  to  the  apostle  himself. 

1.  Read  Acts  20,  verse  1   (latter  part),  verse  2,  and  the  first  clause 

of  verse  3. 

2.  By    "Greece"   Luke    means    Greece   proper,    or   the   province    of 

Achaia,  of  which  the  capital  was  Corinth. 

THE    CHURCH    AT    ROME 

While  in  Corinth,  Paul  wrote  a  letter  to  the  Church  at  Rome. 
It  is  not  likely  that  the  Church  at  Rome  was  founded  by  any  one 
of  the  apostles.  It  seems  to  have  been  composed  largely  of  Gen- 
tiles, many  of  whom  were  proselytes.  Probably  Gentile  and  Jewish 
Christians  from  Judea,  Syria,  Asia  Minor,  and  Greece  had  settled  in 
Rome,  attracted  thither  on  business,  and  had  formed  a  church  in 
the  city. 

Paul's  letter  to  the  Romans 

Paul  had  now  preached  the  Gospel  from  Judea  around  through 
Asia  Minor  as  far  as  the  west  coast  of  Greece ;  he  now  plans  to 
go  to  Italy  and  Spain.  But  first  he  must  carry  the  collection  for 
the  poor  to  Jerusalem.  Evidently  he  fears  that  the  Judaizing  teach- 
ers who  had  tampered  with  the  Galatians  and  the  Corinthians  might 
go  to  Rome  before  he  should  return  from  Jerusalem.  He  there- 
fore writes  to  prepare  the  Roman  Christians  against  these  false 
teachers,  and  also  to  give  them  such  advice  as  they,  being  Gentiles, 
would  especially  need. 

(a)  Paul  has  preached  the  Gospel  fully  in  the  East,  and  now 
plans  to  visit  Rome  and  Spain:     Romans  15:18-24. 

(b)  He  must  first  go  to  Jerusalem :     Romans  15  :25-28. 

(c)  He  fears  trouble  at  Jerusalem:    Romans  15:30-33. 

That  part  of  Romans  best  known  and  oftenest  read  is,  perhaps, 
chapter  12.  It  abounds  in  practical  exhortations  to  purity  of  spir- 
itual life  and  to  kindness  and  love  in  the  dealings  of  Christians  one 
with  another.  Read  carefully  Romans  12.  Memorize  verse  10,  and 
make  it  your  motto  to-day. 


XVII:  i  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  129 

Study  XVII. — JJattFei  last  ^atttnep  to  *3tvu6zltm 

First  Day:    Paul  Leaves  Corinth  and  Goes  to  Troas 

in  Asia 

After  staying  three  months  in  Greece,  Paul  planned  to  sail  to 
Syria.  Learning  of  this,  his  enemies  sought  to  kill  him,  whereupon 
he  changed  his  plan,  and  journeyed  through  Macedonia  to  Troas 
in  Asia.  He  was  now  on  his  way  to  Jerusalem,  bearing  a  gift  of 
money  for  the  poor  of  that  city,  and  accompanied  by  representatives 
of  the  churches  which  had  contributed. 

1.  Read  Acts  20:3-6. 

2.  Verse  3:     Had  Paul  ever  been  in  danger  before  from  the  Jews 

at  Corinth? 

3.  Why  did  Paul  go  to  Jerusalem  at  this  time?    Rom.  15:24  and  25. 

4.  The  collection  for  the  poor  at  Jerusalem  had  long  been  a  project 

very  close  to  Paul's  heart : 

(a)  The  first  mention  of  the  collection:     Gal.  2:9  and  10. 

(b)  Instructions  sent  to  Galatia  and  Corinth:    1   Cor.    16:1-5 
and  2  Cor.  9:1-4. 

5.  There  were  many  poor  people  in  the  Christian  Church  at  Jerusa- 

lem :     See  Acts  2 :44  and  45  ;  4 :34  and  35  : 

(a)  When  did  Paul  on  an  earlier  occasion  carry  relief  to  the 
sufferers  at  Jerusalem?    Acts  11:27-30. 

(b)  The   Jerusalem    Christians    may   have   been    impoverished 
through  persecution:     1  Thess.  2:14. 

6.  Verse  6:    Paul's  route  lay  through  Philippi.     At  Philippi,  Luke 

joined  Paul's  party,  as  is  clear  from  the  use  of  "we"  in  this 
verse.  The  last  preceding  w^-section  of  Acts  ends  in  chapter 
16,  verse  16,  where  Luke  was  left  behind  at  Philippi. 

7.  The  men  who  accompanied  Paul  seem  to  have  been  representa- 

tives of  the  churches  which  had  contributed  to  the  collection 
for  the  poor.  From  Macedonia  came  Aristarchus  and  Secundus 
of  Thessalonica,  Sopater  of  Berea,  and  Luke  of  Philippi ;  from 
Corinth,  Paul  himself  may  have  been  the  representative ;  from 
Asia  came  Tychicus  and  Trophimus;  and  from  Galatia,  Gaius 
of  Derbe  and  Timothy  of  Lystra. 

8.  Verse  6 :     The  "days  of  unleavened  bread"  were  the  eight  days 

of  the  Passover  festival.  In  this  year  (58  a.d.)  the  days  of 
unleavened  bread  extended  from  March  27th  to  April  3d. 


130  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  XVI!  :2 

Study  XVII. — |3aul'fi  Laet  Journey  to  ^entgalon 

Second  Day  :     Paul  Preaches  at  Troas 

When   Paul   and   his   party  arrived   at  Troas,   the  Christians   of 
that  city  gathered  together  to  celebrate  the  Lord's  Supper  and  to 
listen  to  instruction  in  Christian  doctrine, 
i.  Read  Acts  207-12. 

2.  What  is  meant  by  the  words  "to  break  bread"? 

3.  On  this  occasion  Paul  may  have  repeated  the  words  he  wrote  to 

the  Corinthians  concerning  the  Lord's  Supper:    1  Cor.  11:23-30. 

4.  Verse  7:     The  "first  day  of  the  week,"  that  is,  the  day  after 

the  Jewish  Sabbath,  soon  came  to  be  regarded  among  the 
Christians  as  a  day  peculiarly  appropriate  for  worship;  it  was 
the  day  of  the  week  on  which  Christ  rose  from  the  grave. 

5.  Verse  8 :    What  other  upper  chambers,  wherein  precious  memories 

centered,  are  mentioned  in  the  New  Testament? 

6.  Verses  8-12:     There  were  many  lights  in  the  chamber,  the  air 

was  heated,  and  Eutychus  sat  in  the  window  for  the  sake  of 
coolness.  Overcome  by  drowsiness,  he  fell  from  the  window. 
Luke,  who  was  a  physician,  says  that  he  was  dead  when 
taken  up. 

7.  By  prayer,   no  doubt,   Paul   caused   the   life   of   Eutychus   to  be 

restored.  Compare  2  Kings  4:33-35.  Eutychus  was  probably 
left  in  the  care  of  Luke  while  Paul  continued  his  discourse. 

8.  Verse  11:     Paul's  address  lasted  all  night.     On  a  later  occasion 

at  Rome,  he  spoke  all  day :     Acts  28 :23. 

9.  Mark  Troas  with  a  cross  on  your  outline  map. 

Prayer:  "O  my  God,  by  whose  loving  Providence,  sorrows,  diffi- 
culties, trials,  dangers  become  means  of  grace,  lessons  of  patience, 
channels  of  hope,  grant  us  good  will  to  use  and  not  abuse  those 
our  privileges;  and,  of  Thy  great  goodness,  keep  us  alive  through 
this  dying  life,  that  out  of  death  Thou  mayest  raise  us  up  to  immor- 
tality. For  His  sake  who  is  the  Life,  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord." 
Amen. 


XVII  :3  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  131 

Study  XVI L— Jtettl'fi  Last  ^ourncp  to  Jerusalem 

Third  Day:     From  Troas  to  Miletus 

Leaving  Troas,  Paul  went  overland  to  Assos,  and  thence  by  ship 
to  Mitylene.  From  Mitylene  he  sailed  past  Chios  and  Samos,  but 
stopped  at  Trogyllium.  On  the  following  day  he  arrived  at  Mi- 
letus. 

1.  Read  Acts  20:13-16. 

2.  The   distance   overland   from   Troas   to   Assos   is   about   twenty 

miles.  An  excellent  road  connected  these  towns.  What  rea- 
son can  you  give  for  the  fact  that  Paul  went  overland  to  Assos 
alone,  while  his  companions  went  around  by  sea? 

3.  Trace  Paul's  course  on  the  map  from  Troas  to  Miletus. 

4.  Verse  15 :    In  the  A.V.,  after  the  words  "we  arrived  at  Samos," 

the  clause  "and  tarried  at  Trogyllium"  is  added.  The  clause 
does  not  appear  in  the  R.V.  Trogyllium  is  a  promontory  that 
juts  out  from  the  mainland  alongside  of  Samos. 

5.  Miletus  lay  about  twenty-five  miles  southward  from  Ephesus.     A 

city  of  importance  in  earlier  times,  it  had  declined  so  that  in 
the  days  of  St.  Paul  it  was  of  little  prominence. 

(a)  Had  Paul  ever  preached  in  Miletus? 

(b)  Mark  Miletus  with  a  cross  upon  your  outline  map. 

6.  Paul  had  lived  at  Ephesus  for  three  years   (54  to  57  a.d.).     To 

visit  Ephesus  would  require  a  great  deal  of  time,  owing  to  the 
large  number  of  acquaintances  he  had  there.  Hence  he  passed 
by  the  city. 

7.  Verse  16: 

(a)  Paul  had  left  Philippi  after  the  Passover:     See  Acts  20:6, 
and  page  129,  section  8,  of  these  Studies. 

(b)  How  long  after  the  Passover  was  the  day  of  Pentecost? 
See  page  22,  section  2. 

(c)  What  special  events  did  the  Christians  associate  with  the 
Passover  and  with  the  day  of  Pentecost? 


132  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  XVII  :4 

Study  XVII— flatiPa  last  Journcp  ta  Jerusalem 
Fourth  Day  :     Paul's  Address  to  the  Elders  of  Ephe- 

sus  at  Miletus 

On  this  journey  to  Jerusalem,  Paul  had  the  conviction  that  bonds 
and  afflictions  awaited  him.  Feeling  that  he  should  not  be  able  to 
see  the  Elders  of  the  Ephesian  Church  again,  he  sent  for  them  to 
come  to  him  at  Miletus.  When  they  had  arrived,  Paul  made  to  them 
a  farewell  address. 

The  first  part  of  this  address,  which  will  be  studied  to-day,  is  a 
review  of  Paul's  labors  among  the  Ephesians. 

1.  Read  Acts  20:17-27. 

2.  Verse  17:     Why  did  Paul  not  stop  at  Ephesus,  and  there  deliver 

this  address? 

3.  Verses    18-21 :     What   success   did   Paul  have   in   his   labors    at 

Ephesus?     See  Acts  19:10,  and  19:26. 

4.  Verses  22  and  23 :     There  were  prophets  in  the  early  Christian 

Church.     Some  of  these  warnings  may  have  come  from  them. 

5.  Verse  24:     "So  that  I  may  accomplish  my  course."     Paul  often 

speaks  of  the  Christian  life  as  a  race  for  a  prize:  See  1  Cor. 
9:24,  and  Philippians  3:13  and  14. 

6.  Verse  25 :     Paul's  words  in  this  verse  should  not  be  taken  as  an 

inspired  prophecy,  but  rather  as  a  strong  conviction.  He  prob- 
ably did  visit  Ephesus  again,  some  years  later,  and  when  he 
came,  it  is  unlikely  that  he  saw  more  than  a  few,  if  any,  of  the 
Elders  whom  he  now  addresses. 

7.  Verse  26 :     For  the  interpretation  of  this  verse  read  Ezekiel  33  :8. 
A    Summary  of   Paul's   Work:      Paul   had    now  preached   the 

Gospel  in  four  provinces  of  the  Roman  Empire — Galatia,  Asia,  Mace- 
donia, and  Greece:  "From  Jerusalem  round  about  to  Illyricum,  I 
have  fully  preached  the  Gospel  of  Christ."  He  had  held  his  own 
against  the  Judaizing  Christians  within  the  Church  and  the  unbe- 
lieving Jews  outside  of  it.  Now  he  is  on  his  way  to  Jerusalem, 
bearing  a  collection  for  the  poor  from  the  churches  of  Asia  Minor 
and  Europe — the  gift  of  Gentiles  to  Jews.  No  wonder  that  in  the 
face  of  the  dangers  before  him  he  can  speak  of  finishing  his  course 
"with  joy."     Read  again  Acts  20:24. 


XVII  :5  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  133 

Study  XVII. — JJattl's  Last  Journcp  to  Jerusalem 
Fifth  Day:    Paul's  Address  at  Miletus  (Continued) 

The  second  part  of  Paul's  address  consists  of  solemn  warnings  and 
exhortations.  He  bids  the  Ephesian  Elders  to  beware  of  factions 
and  heresies,  and  exhorts  them  to  remember  the  words  of  the  Lord 
Jesus. 

1.  Read  Acts  20:28-38. 

2.  Verses  29-31 : 

(a)  From  Paul's  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians,  written  a  few  years 
after  this  occasion,  it  is  clear  that  certain  strange  doctrines 
were  introduced  in  Asia.  These  doctrines  seem  to  be  the 
result  of  a  blending  together  of  Oriental  mysticism,  Greek 
philosophy,  and  Christianity. 

(b)  Read  Revelation  2:1-6,  remembering  that  Revelation  was 
written  probably  between  90  and  100  a.d. 

3.  Verse  34 :     ''These  hands" :    Paul  then  held  up  his  hands,  worn 

with  the  labor  of  tent-making. 

4.  Verse  35 :     The  words  of  Jesus,  quoted   in  this  verse,  are  not 

found  in  any  one  of  the  four  Gospels.    A  few  other  sayings  also 
are  preserved  which,  like  this,  are  not  included  in  the  Gospels. 

5.  Verses  36-38 :     In  the  simple  narrative  of  these  three  verses  we 

see  how  strong  were  the  friendships  of  St.  Paul.  He  loved 
the  Ephesians,  and  had  completely  won  their  hearts. 
The  "Words  of  the  Lord  Jesus"  :  In  verse  35  of  to-day's  lesson, 
Paul  quotes  certain  words  of  Jesus.  These  words  are  not  found 
in  any  of  the  Gospels.  It  should  be  remembered  that  at  this  time 
Luke,  the  writer  of  the  Gospel  which  bears  his  name,  was  with  Paul. 
Luke  had  probably  already  begun  to  gather  the  material  for  his 
"Life  of  Christ" ;  he  must  often  have  talked  with  Paul  about  the 
Gospel  he  was  about  to  write.  There  are  several  passages  in 
Paul's  letters  which  are  thought  to  be  due  to  the  influence  of  Luke, 
or  possibly  to  be  quotations  from  his  writings. 


134  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  xvu-/> 


Study  XVII.— Paul's  last  JJourntP  to  Jrrusalem 
Sixth  Day:     From  Miletus  to  Ptolemais 

From  Miletus.  Paul  went  by  sea  to  Patara,  touching  at  Coos  and 
Rhodes.    At  Patara  he  took  a  ship  for  Phoenicia.     Landing  at  Tyre, 
he  remained  seven  days,  and  then  sailed  to  Ptolemais. 
i.  Read  Acts  21  :\-y. 

2.  Trace  Paul's  course  on  the  map  from  Miletus  to  Ptolemais. 

3.  Verse  3 :     Paul  at  Tyre  in  Phoenicia. 

(a)  Had   the   Gospel  been   preached   in    Phoenicia?     See   Acts 
11:19,  and   15:1-3. 

(b)  Mark  Tyre  with  a  cross  on  your  outline  map. 

4.  Verse  4 :     Compare  with  this  verse,  Acts  20 :22  and  23. 

5.  Verse  5  :     Paul  may  have  visited  Tyre  eight  years  before  this 

occasion,  when  on  his  way  to  Jerusalem  with  Barnabas,  to 
consider  the  relation  of  Gentile  converts  to  the  Mosaic  Law 
(Study  XI,  page  81).  Now,  after  a  visit  of  only  seven  days, 
the  whole  Church  at  Tyre  escorts  Paul  to  his  ship — a  strong 
proof  of  the  affection  which  they  felt  toward  him.  Compare 
Acts  20:36-38. 

6.  Verse  7:     Locate  Ptolemais  on  your  map,  and  mark  it  with  a 

cross. 

Thought  for  the  Day:  From  verse  5  of  to-day's  lesson  it  is 
easy  to  infer  that  Paul  was  a  man  who  had  the  affection  of  his 
friends.     What  qualities  have  you  learned  to  admire  in  him? 

Prayer:  "Confirm,  O  Lord,  we  pray  Thee,  the  hearts  of  Thy 
children,  and  strengthen  them  with  the  power  of  Thy  grace ;  that 
we  may  both  be  devout  in  prayer  to  Thee,  and  sincere  in  our  love 
for  each  other;  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord."    Amen. 


XVII 7  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  135 

Study  XVII.—- Rani's  last  SFottrncp  to  ^etusalem 

Seventh  Day  :     From  Ptolemais  to  Jerusalem  :     Paul's 

Imprisonment  Prophesied 

From  Ptolemais,  Paul  went  to  Caesarea,  where  he  remained  some 
days.  The  Feast  of  the  Pentecost  was  now  about  two  weeks  away. 
Finally,  at  the  Feast  of  the  Pentecost,  Paul  went  up  to  Jerusalem. 

1.  Read  Acts  21 :8-i7. 

2.  Verse  8:     Philip  the  Evangelist: 

(a)  What  do  you  remember  concerning  Philip? 

(b)  Who  were  "the  seven,"  and  why  were  they  appointed? 

3.  Verse  10 :     Agabus  : 

(a)  Has  Agabus  been  mentioned  before  in  Acts?    If  so,  where? 

(b)  Agabus  delivered  his  prophecy  in  a  symbolical  manner, 
just  as  the  prophets  of  Old  Testament  times  used  to  do. 

(c)  This  prophecy  uttered  by  Agabus  seems  to  have  been  the 
most  definite  and  exact  of  any  that  had  been  made  during 
the  trip  to  Jerusalem.  Even  the  fellow-travelers  of  Paul 
now  urge  him  not  to  go  to  Jerusalem. 

4.  Verse  13:     Compare  with  this  verse,  Acts  20:22-24. 

5.  Verses  15-17: 

(a)  "We  took  up  our  baggage,"  R.V.  The  A.V.  has  the  quaint 
phrase,  "we  took  up  our  carriages." 

(b)  Perhaps  Mnason  was  converted  as  early  as  the  time  of 
the  first  Christian  Pentecost.  If  not  a  Greek,  he  was  prob- 
ably a  Greek  Jew. 

Review  of  Study  XVII. — Read  rapidly  the  introductory  para- 
graphs of  the  lessons  of  this  Study.  What  do  you  consider  the 
most  important  thing  contained  in  the  lessons  of  this  week? 


PART  VII 

Paul's  Arrest  at  Jerusalem  and  Voyage  to  Rome 

Study  XVIII. — Paul's  Arrest  at  Jerusalem 

Study  XIX. — Paul  Appears  before  Felix,  Festus,  and  Agrippa : 

He  Appeals  to  Caesar 
Study  XX. — Paul  is  Sent  to  Rome:  His  Voyage  and  Shipwreck 


XVIII  :i  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  139 


Study  XVIII.— JJattPa  Arrest  at  3Tenwalem 

First  Day:     Paul's  Conference  with  the  Elders 

On  the  day  following  his  arrival  at  Jerusalem,  Paul  had  a  con- 
ference with  James  and  the  elders.  His  first  concern  was  to  deliver 
the  collection  he  had  gathered  for  the  poor ;  he  also  told  his  hearers 
of  his  successful  work  among  the  Gentiles.  The  elders  urged  him 
to  observe  certain  Jewish  rites  during  the  Pentecost  festival,  in 
order  that  those  Jewish  Christians  who  were  zealous  for  the  Law 
of  Moses  might  not  stir  up  trouble  against  him. 

1.  Read  Acts  21 :  17-25. 

2.  What  do  you  recall,  from  previous  study,  concerning  James? 

3.  Where  were  the  other  apostles? 

4.  Verses   18-20:     Nothing  is  said  concerning  the  gratitude  of  the 

Jerusalem  Church  for  the  collection  brought  by  Paul.  It  seems, 
also,  as  though  their  zeal  for  the  Law  of  Moses  was  greater 
than  their  joy  at  the  conversion  of  the  Gentiles. 

5.  Verses  20  and  21 :     Very  many  Jewish  Christians  had  not  broken 

at  all  with  Judaism.  They  kept  all  the  feasts,  and  observed 
all  the  ceremonies  of  the  Jewish  religion,  but  supplemented 
them  with  Christian  rites  and  ceremonies.  It  was  right  for 
them  that  they  should  do  so.  The  religion  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment had  prepared  the  way  for  that  of  the  New  Testament; 
a  violent  break  with  the  past  would  have  unsettled  many  of  the 
Jews,  accustomed  as  they  were  to  the  religion  of  their  fathers. 
Their  mistake,  however,  was  in  insisting  that  Gentiles  should 
also  observe  all  the  laws  of  Moses  and  keep  all  the  religious 
rites  of  the  Jewish  Church. 

6.  Was  Paul  guilty  of  the  charge  made  in  verse  21  ? 

7.  Verses  23  and  24  refer  to  the  vow  of  a  Nazarite.     Had  Paul  ever 

kept  such  a  vow?    If  so,  when  and  where? 

8.  For  the  vow  of  a  Nazarite,  see  Numbers  6:1-21. 

In  the  time  of  Paul  the  period  of  a  Nazarite  vow  seems  to  have 
lasted  thirty  days.  At  the  end  of  that  period  the  person  who  had 
made  the  vow  announced  to  the  priest  that  he  was  about  to  begin 
his  seven  days  of  purification.  As  may  be  learned  from  Numbers 
6:1-21,  each  person  had  to  offer  two  rams,  a  sheep,  a  basket  of 
unleavened  cakes,  and  a  libation  of  wine.  On  account  of  the  ex- 
pense, the  custom  arose  of  allowing  someone  to  take  part  in  the 
purification  ceremonials  and  defray  the  cost  of  the  offerings.  This 
St.  Paul  was  asked  to  do  for  the  four  men  mentioned  in  verse  23. 


I40  Studies  in   the  Life  of  St.  Paul  XVIII  :2 


Study  XVIIL— Paul's  Arrest  at  JJcntfialem 
Second  Day:    A  Mob  Attacks   Paul 

Paul  followed  the  advice  of  the  elders,  and  undertook  the  purifica- 
tion ceremonies  of  a  Nazarite.  While  he  was  in  the  temple,  certain 
Jews  stirred  up  a  mob,  took  Paul  from  the  temple,  and  prepared 
to  kill  him.  Roman  soldiers  rescued  Paul,  and  began  to  take  him 
up  into  the  tower  adjoining  the  temple;  they  stopped,  however,  on 
the  stairs  to  allow  Paul  to  address  the  mob. 

i.  Read  Acts  21 126-40. 

2.  Verse  26 :  Paul  was  guilty  of  no  inconsistency  in  taking  part  in 

this  vow.  He  was  a  Jew,  and  observed  very  many  Jewish  rites 
and  ceremonies.  He  maintained,  however,  that  Gentile  Chris- 
tians should  not  be  compelled  to  adopt  and  observe  all  the  rules 
of  Judaism. 

3.  Verse  28 :     Surrounding  the  temple  was  a  low  stone  parapet,  with 

an  inscription  in  Latin  and  Greek: 

"No  stranger  is  to  enter  within  the  balustrade  and  embank- 
ment around  the  sacred  place.  Whoever  is  caught  will  be 
answerable  for  his  death  which  will  ensue." 

4.  Why  did  they  take  Paul  from  the  temple? 

5.  Verse  32 :     The  Roman  garrison  was  in  a  tower  called  Antonia, 

adjoining  the  temple  on  the  northwest  side,  and  communicating 
with  it  by  means  of  an  outside  stairway. 

6.  Why  did   Paul  address  the  chief  captain — a  Roman — in  Greek? 

For  the  name  of  the  chief  captain,  see  Acts  23  126. 

7.  Verse  38 :     This  Egyptian  impostor  had  gathered  together  a  mul- 

titude  of  people   on   the   Mount   of  Olives,    promising  that  at 
his  command  the  walls  of  Jerusalem  would  fall.     The  Romans 
drove  him  away,  and  slew  many  of  his  adherents. 
"Born  the  equal  of  any  subject,  Paul  was  bred  where  that  inheri- 
tance was  peculiarly  significant.     It  is  not  strange,  therefore,  that 
he  alone  of  the  apostles  showed  at  all  times  a  sense  of  high  worldly 
station.     His  aristocratic  consciousness  was  ingrained   .    .    .witness 
the  calm  dignity  of  his  address  to  the  commander  of  Antonia;  the 
quiet  authority  with  which  he  called  to  account  the  magistrates  of 
Philippi  whom  other  Jews  in  that  city  would  have  approached  as 
Shylock  approached  Bassanio ;  the  unembarrassed  mien  with  which 
he   rebuked   Agrippa   and    instructed    Festus." — Wright,    Cities   of 
Paul 


XVIII  :3  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  141 

Study  XVIII. — Paul's  Slrrest  at  Jerusalem 
Third  Day:    Paul's  Speech  on  the  Castle  Stairs 

Standing  on  the  stairs  of  the  castle,  Paul  addressed  the  mob  in 
the  Aramaic  tongue,  their  national  language.  The  men  listened 
to  him  attentively  as  he  told  the  story  of  his  life,  but  when  he  spoke 
of  his  commission  to  preach  to  the  Gentiles,  they  began  to  utter 
violent  and  frenzied  cries  against  him. 

1.  Read  Acts  22:1-22. 

2.  From  verse  2  it  is  clear  that  the  mob  expected  that  Paul  would 

address  them  in  Greek — a  language  which  most,  if  not  all,  of 
them  understood.    Why  did  Paul  use  the  Aramaic  tongue? 

3.  This  speech  of  Paul's  is  most  tactful;   he  uses  Aramaic  rather 

than  Greek;  he  seeks  to  show  his  knowledge  of  the  law  and 
his  great  regard  for  Jewish  institutions ;  he  appeals  to  his  hear- 
ers along  those  lines  in  which  they  are  most  interested : 

(a)  He  is  a  Jew,  a  pupil  of  the  most  celebrated  Rabbi  of  the 
time,  and  had  been  a  zealot  for  the  Law  (verses  1-3). 

(b)  He  persecuted  the  Christians,  and  was  entrusted  by  the 
high  priest  with  the  commission  of  stamping  out  the 
Church  in  other  cities  (4  and  5). 

(c)  His  vision  of  Christ  (verses  6-11).  His  Jewish  hearers 
believed  in  visions  in  which  God  revealed  Himself  to  His 
people.  Their  past  history  was  one  continuous  revelation 
of  God. 

4.  Was  there  anything  in  Paul's  address,  as  far  as  verse  20,  that 

would  offend  or  irritate  his  listeners? 

5.  Why  were  the  Jews  so  much  enraged  by  the  statement  contained 

in  verse  21  ? 

6.  Verse  21:     Compare  with  this  verse,  Acts  9:15. 

Thought  for  the  Day  :  The  lesson  of  to-day  shows  clearly  how 
strong  were  the  religious  prejudices  of  the  Jews,  and  how  easily 
they  could  be  aroused.  Among  us,  at  the  present  time,  there  are 
people  who  cannot  see  much  that  is  good  in  those  who  do  not  belong 
to  their  own  branch  or  denomination  of  the  Christian  Church.  What 
spirit  do  you  maintain  toward  those  who  do  not  believe  as  you  do? 
May  they  not  be  as  acceptable  to  God  as  you  are? 


142  Studies   in    the  Life   of  St.   Paul  XVIII '.4 

Study  XVIII. — iDaul'fi  ftrrrct  at  ^crufialcm 
Fourth  Day  :     Paul's  Roman  Citizenship  Saves  Him 

from  Scourging 

Inasmuch  as  Paul's  speech  was  delivered  in  Aramaic,  it  is  un- 
likely that  the  chief  captain  understood  what  was  said.  Nor  did 
he  know  what  charges  were  brought  against  the  apostle.  After 
nmoving  Paul  to  the  castle,  the  chief  captain  determined  to  scourge 
him — a  cruel  method  of  wringing  the  truth  from  an  accused  man. 
Paul,  however,  appealed  to  his  rights  as  a  Roman  citizen,  and  so 
escaped  from  the  scourging. 

1.  Read  Acts  22:23-29. 

2.  Why  did  the  Jews  cast  off  their  clothes   (verse  23)  ?     See  p.  39, 

section  4.     For  the  throwing  of  dust,  see  2  Samuel   16:13. 

3.  "Under  the  Roman  system  of  scourging,  the  culprit  was  stripped 

and  tied  in  a  bending  posture  to  a  pillar,  or  stretched  on  a 
frame,  and  the  punishment  was  inflicted  with  a  scourge  made 
of  leathern  thongs  weighted  with  sharp  pieces  of  bone  or  lead." 

4.  Verse  25 : 

(a)  The  thongs  were  used  in  binding  Paul  fast  to  the  pillar 
or  frame  on  which  he  was  to  be  scourged. 

(b)  The  Porcian  Law  forbade  the  scourging  of  a  Roman 
citizen. 

(c)  On  what  occasion  before  this,  as  narrated  by  Luke,  was 
Paul  beaten  by  Roman  officers?  For  other  beatings  not 
mentioned  by  Luke,  see  2  Cor.   11:24  and  25. 

5.  Verse  28:    In  the  early  part  of  the  reign  of  Claudius  (41-54  a.d.) 

Roman  citizenship  was  sold  at  a  high  price. 

6.  Had  Paul  ever  before  appealed  to  his  right  as  a  Roman  citizen? 

Christian  Citizenship:  The  rights  of  Roman  citizenship  meant 
much  to  Paul ;  several  times  in  his  writings  he  makes  use  of  figures 
of  speech  derived  from  the  Roman  political  world :  heaven  is  a  com- 
monwealth, Christians  are  its  citizens.  "Our  citizenship  is  in 
heaven ;  from  whence  also  we  wait  for  a  Saviour,  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ"  (Phil.  3:20).  "So  then  ye  are  no  more  strangers  and 
sojourners,  but  ye  are  fellow-citizens  with  the  saints"  (Eph.  2:19). 


XVIII  :5  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  143 

Study  XVIII. — tymVet  Arrest  at  %fzv\x&u\m 

Fifth  Day:     Paul  Before  the  Sanhedrin 

The  chief  captain  did  not  understand  at  all  the  questions  at  issue 
between  the  Jews  and  Paul.  He  had  been  unable  to  scourge  Paul, 
and  so  had  failed  to  learn  anything  from  the  apostle  himself.  There- 
fore, on  the  day  following  the  arrest,  the  chief  captain  brought 
Paul  before  the  Jewish  Sanhedrin.  After  the  hearing  was  over, 
Paul  was  taken  back  to  the  castle. 

1.  Read  Acts  22:30. 

2.  The   Sanhedrin : 

(a)  Who  composed  the  Sanhedrin?     See  page  29,  section  3. 

(b)  What  were  the  powers  of  this  body? 

(c)  Had  Paul  had  anything  to  do  with  the  Sanhedrin  before 
this  time? 

3.  Read  Acts  23:1-5. 

4.  Paul's  conduct  toward   the  high  priest: 

(a)  The  action  of  Ananias  was  illegal:     John  7:51. 

(b)  Ananias,  the  high  priest  (47-59  a.d.),  was  a  man  of  hot 
temper,  and  guilty  of  rapacity  and  violence.  He  took  tithes 
by  force,  robbed  inferior  priests  of  their  dues,  and  even 
let  them  die  of  starvation.    He  was  murdered  in  59  a.d. 

(c)  From  Paul's  apology  in  verse  5  it  would  seem  that  he 
did  not  really  know  that  the  person  giving  the  command 
was  the  high  priest.  For  the  quotation  which  Paul  gives, 
see  Exodus  22  :28. 

5.  Read  Acts  23:6-10: 

(a)  Was  Paul  by  training  and  sympathy  a  Pharisee  or  a  Sad- 
ducee? 

(b)  What  were  the  beliefs  of  the  Pharisees  and  the  Sadducees? 

(c)  Was  Paul's  conduct  on  this  occasion  defensible?  Paul 
certainly  regarded  the  resurrection  as  a  fundamental  doc- 
trine of  the  Christian  religion,  but  was  he  "called  in  ques- 
tion of  the  hope  and  resurrection  of  the  dead"?  Is  he  not 
guilty  of  introducing  a  false  issue? 

(d)  What  light  do  verses  20  and  21  of  Acts  24  throw  on  this 
point? 

Thought  for  the  Day:  Paul's  conduct  on  this  occasion  seems 
not  to  have  been  altogether  right.  He  was  a  human  being,  and  liable 
to  error  and  sin.  Think  what  he  might  have  done  had  he  not  been 
converted.  When  you  are  tempted  to  criticise  Christians  for  their 
shortcomings,  stop  and  think  what  they  would  be  without  their 
religion. 


144  Studies   in    the   Life   of  St.   Paul  XVIII  :6 


Study  XVIIL— Jhul'fi  Arrest  at  JJeruaalcm 
Sixth  Day  :     The  Jews  Plot  to  Kill  Paul 

During  the  night  following  Paul's  hearing  before  the  Sanhedrin 
the  Lord  appeared  to  him  in  a  vision,  and  bade  him  be  of  good 
cheer.  The  next  day  more  than  forty  Jews  formed  a  plot  to  kill 
Paul ;  but  the  plot  was  made  known  to  the  chief  captain  by  Paul's 
nephew. 

i    Read  Acts  23:11-22. 

2.  Verse  11 : 

(a)  What  other  occasions  do  you  recall  in  which  Paul,  when 
in  danger,  was  reassured  by  a  vision? 

(b)  Had  Paul  ever  planned  to  visit  Rome?  See  Acts  19:21  and 
Romans  1  :ii-I3. 

3.  Verses  16-19:     This  is  the  only  reference  in  the  New  Testament 

to  Paul's   sister.     Whether  she   and  her  husband  were   Chris- 
tians, or  not,  cannot  be  known. 

(a)  There  can  have  been  little  secrecy  on  the  part  of  the 
conspirators. 

(b)  From  verse  19  it  would  seem  that  the  agitation  of  the 
young  man  (or  boy)  was  so  great  that  the  chief  captain 
took  him  by  the  hand  to  reassure  him.  What  light  does 
this  throw  on  the  character  of  the  chief  captain? 

Prayer:  "O  God,  who  seest  all  our  weaknesses,  and  the  troubles 
we  labor  under,  have  regard  unto  the  prayers  of  Thy  servant,  who 
stands  in  need  of  Thy  comfort,  Thy  direction,  and  Thy  help.  Thou 
alone  knowest  what  is  best  for  me;  let  me  never  dispute  Thy  wis- 
dom or  Thy  goodness.  Lord,  so  prepare  my  heart,  that  no  affliction 
may  ever  so  surprise  as  to  overbear  me.  Dispose  me  at  all  times 
to  a  readiness  to  suffer  what  Thy  Providence  shall  order  or  permit. 
Grant  that  I  may  never  murmur  at  Thy  appointments,  nor  be  exas- 
perated at  the  administration  of  Thy  Providence."     Amen. 


XVIII 7  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  145 

Study  XVIIL— flattl's  arrest  at  Sfenusalrm 

Seventh  Day:     Paul  Is  Sent  to  Cesarea 

When  the  chief  captain  had  learned  of  the  plot  to  kill  Paul,  he 
made  ready  an  escort  of  soldiers,  and  sent  Paul  from  Jerusalem 
to  Csesarea.  He  dispatched,  also,  a  letter  to  Felix,  the  Roman  procu- 
rator of  Judea,  giving  him  an  outline  of  Paul's  case.  When 
Paul  reached  Csesarea,  Felix  arranged  to  have  a  hearing  as  soon 
as  the  apostle's  accusers  should  come. 

1.  Read  Acts  23  :23-3S. 

2.  Verse  23 :     The  number   of   soldiers   sent  with   Paul    should  be 

noted  carefully.  At  this  time  the  country  was  in  an  unsettled 
condition;  there  had  been  in  the  recent  past  uprisings  and 
tumults  (see  Acts  5:36  and  37,  and  chapter  21:38)  ;  the  chief 
captain  may  have  feared,  also,  that  the  Jews  would  attempt  to 
take  Paul  away  from  the  soldiers. 

3.  The   letter   of   the   chief   captain,    verses    26-30,     merits     careful 

perusal. 

(a)  It  was  written  by  a  Roman  to  a  Roman,  on  official  busi- 
ness.    What  language  was  employed? 

(b)  Is  verse  27  quite  in  accordance  with  the  truth? 

(c)  What  does  Claudius  Lysias  suppress  in  this  letter? 

4.  Verse  34:    Cilicia  seems  at  this  time  to  have  been  attached  for 

administrative  purposes  to  Syria,  hence  the  willingness  of  Felix 
to  hear  the  case. 

5.  Antonius  Felix  was  appointed  procurator  by  the  Emperor  Clau- 

dius, in  52  a.d.  He  married  a  Jewess,  Drusilla,  the  daughter 
of  Agrippa  I,  after  taking  her  away  from  her  husband,  Azizus. 
"Felix  had  been  a  slave,  and  Tacitus  says  that  he  retained  the 
temper  of  a  slave  after  he  had  been  set  free  and  clothed  with 
great  power.  He  was  a  man  of  lust  and  blood.  The  only 
remedy  he  had  for  the  crimes  and  disorders  of  Judea  was 
force." — Gilbert. 

6.  Caesarea  was   built   by   Herod   the   Great,  and   was   named   after 

the  Emperor.  Herod's  palace  was  now  the  official  residence  of 
the  Roman  procurator.  Here  Paul  was  kept  for  two  years. 
It  is  likely  that  his  quarters  were  comfortable ;  after  no  great 
time  he  was  given  a  good  deal  of  liberty,  and  was  allowed 
to  see  his  friends. 
Review   Thought:     What   event    in   the   portion   of   Paul's    life 

studied  this  week  has  seemed  to  you  most  significant?     Review  the 

opening  paragraphs  of  the  lessons  of  this  Study. 


146  Studies  in   the  Life  of  St.  Paul  XIX :i 

Study  XIX. — Paul  &pprarc;  before  JFdij:,  JF cctufi,  anU 
ftcprtppa :  fot  ftppcalc  to  €«xcar 

First  Day  :     Paul's  Hearing  Before  Felix 

Five  days  after  the  hearing  before  the  Sanhedrin,  the  high  priest 
Ananias  and  the  elders  came  to  Caesarea  to  accuse  Paul.  Since 
they  were  unused  to  procedure  before  a  Roman  magistrate,  they 
took  with  them  a  professional  advocate,  Tertullus.  To-day's  lesson 
contains  the  speech  of  Tertullus  and  Paul's  reply. 

1.  Read  Acts  24:1-21. 

2.  Tertullus   was   a  Roman   advocate,   or   causidicus,   hired   for  the 

occasion.    He  begins  his  speech  by  complimenting  Felix. 

(a)  What  two  services  does  Tertullus  say  Felix  has  rendered 
the  Jewish  nation? 

(b)  Were  these  statements  true?     What  had  been  the  attitude 
of  Felix  toward  the  Jews?    See  page  145,  section  5. 

3.  The  accusation  (verse  5)  : 

(a)  What  three  charges  does  Tertullus  bring  against  Paul? 

(b)  Were  these  charges  true? 

4.  Paul's  answer  to  the  accusation   (verses  10-21)  : 

(a)  How  does  the  opening  of  Paul's  speech   (verse  10)    com- 
pare with  that  of  Tertullus? 

(b)  It  was  now  the  year  58  a.d.     Felix  became  procurator  in 

52   A.D. 

(c)  Verse  11 :    The  events  of  the  twelve  days  may  be  accounted 
for  as  follows : 

Day  Acts 

1  Arrival  at  Jerusalem     ...     21  '.17 

2  Interview  with  James  ...      21  :i8 

3-7  Vow  and  arrest 21:26  and  27 

8  Hearing  before  the  Sanhedrin  22 130 

9  The  conspiracy 23:12 

10  Arrival  at  Caesarea       ...      23 133 

11-12    In  custody 23 :35 

13     The  hearing  at  Caesarea   .     .       24:1 

5.  How  does  Paul  answer  the  charges  of  Tertullus? 

6.  How  do  you  interpret  verses  20  and  21  ?    Did  Paul  do  wrong  at 

the  hearing  before  the  Sanhedrin? 

Memory  Verse  :    Memorize  verse  16  of  to-day's  lesson. 


XIX  :2  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  147 

Study  XIX. — JhttI  Appears  before  JFelijr,  jFeetttg,  antf 

&g;rippa :  |)e  Appeals  to  Caesar 

Second  Day:    Paul's  Private  Audience  with   Felix 

and  Drusilla 

Impressed  by  the  bearing  and  words  of  his  prisoner,  Felix  dis- 
missed the  Jews,  and  put  Paul  under  the  care  of  a  centurion ;  he 
ordered,  also,  that  the  apostle  should  have  liberty  to  see  his  friends. 
Some  days  later,  Paul  had  a  private  audience  with  Felix  and  Dru- 
silla, in  which  he  spoke  with  such  effect  that  he  greatly  moved  the 
guilty  conscience  of  Felix.  Yet  Paul  was  kept  a  prisoner  during 
the  time  of  Felix's  governorship.  Two  years  later,  Felix  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Porcius  Festus. 

1.  Read  Acts  24:22-27. 

2.  Verse  10:    It  was  now  the  year  58  a.d.     Felix  became  procurator 

in  52  a.d. 

3.  Verse  22 :     How   did  it  happen  that   Felix   had   a  "more  exact 

knowledge  concerning  the  Way"?     How  long  had  he  been  in 
Palestine?    Who  was  his  wife?     See  verse  24. 

4.  Verse  23:     What  do  you  suppose  it  was  in  Paul's  manner  and 

bearing  that  led  Felix  to  give  him  so  much  liberty? 

5.  Verse  24 :    Why  did  Felix  have  Paul  come  and  speak  before  Dru- 

silla and  himself? 

6.  Verse  25 :    Why  did  Felix  tremble  when  Paul  reasoned  of  "right- 

eousness, temperance,  and  judgment  to  come"? 

7.  Verse  26:     Why  did  Felix   think  that  Paul  or  his  friends  had 

money? 

8.  How  do  you  suppose  Paul  used  his  two  years  at  Csesarea  (verse 

9.  Verse  27:    When  Felix  was  succeeded  by  Porcius  Festus,  did  he 

do  right  in  leaving  Paul  in  prison? 

Thought  for  the  Day:  "When  I  have  a  convenient  season,  I 
will  call  thee  unto  me."  Do  you  ever  use  such  words  as  these  of 
Felix,  when  your  conscience  has  been  moved?  Are  you  postponing 
until  a  convenient  season  some  step  that  you  ought  to  take  in 
your  Christian  life?    Are  you  willing  to  take  that  step  to-day? 


148  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Pan!  XIX  .3 

Study  XIX. — Paul  ftpprans  before  I  clip,  JFestufi,  anU 
ggrippa :  be  Appeals  to  Cffaar 

Third  Day  :     Paul's   Hearing   Before   Festus 

As  soon  as  the  new  procurator,  Festus,  had  taken  up  the  duties 
of  his  office,  the  high  priest  and  elders  reopened  the  case  against 
St.  Paul.  A  hearing  was  held  at  Caesarea.  Festus,  in  order  to  please 
the  Jews,  attempted  to  transfer  the  case  to  the  Jewish  Council, 
whereupon  Paul  appealed  to  Caesar.  This  appeal  took  the  matter 
entirely  out  of  the  hands  of  Festus. 

1.  Read  Acts  25  :i-i2. 

2.  Why  did  Festus  go  to  Jerusalem? 

3.  What  reason  had  the  Jews  to  think  that  Festus  would  grant  the 

request  of  verses  2  and  3? 

4.  This  request  came  from  the  most  important  men  in  Jerusalem. 

It  is  to  the  credit  of  Festus  that  he  refused  to  do  as  they 
wished ;  he  may  have  known  that  they  were  planning  to  kill 
Paul. 

5.  Judging  from  verse  8,  what  charges  were  brought  against  Paul? 

Compare  this  verse  with  Acts  24:12.  What  new  charge  do 
Paul's  accusers  put  forward? 

6.  Verse  9:    The  charges  brought  against  Paul  could  not  be  proved; 

therefore,  Paul  should  have  been  released.  But  Felix  had  been 
impressed  with  the  vehemence  of  Paul's  accusers  (see  verse  7), 
and  was  not  unmindful  of  the  fact  that  they  were  the  chief 
men  of  Jerusalem ;  hence  he  proposed  that  which  he  had  prev- 
iously refused — to  send  Paul  to  Jerusalem. 

7.  Verses   10  and  11:     Paul  had  the  right,  as  a  Roman  citizen,  to 

claim  exemption  from  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Jewish  Sanhedrin. 
The  Roman  procurator  had  just  attempted  to  throw  Paul's  case 
back  into  the  hands  of  the  Sanhedrin,  hence  Paul's  appeal  to 
Caesar. 

8.  Proconsuls,  propraetors,  and  procurators  administered  justice  in 

the  Roman  provinces.  A  Roman  citizen  might  appeal  from 
their  decision  to  Caesar. 

9.  Which  one  of  the  Roman  Emperors  ruled  at  this  time  (60  a.d.), 

and  what  was  his  character? 

Paul's  Respect  for  Authority:  Read  Titus  3:1  and  1  Timothy 
2:1  and  2. 


XIX  :4  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  149 

Study  XIX. — JJauI  &ppean$  before  iFeltj;,  JFesttts;,  antr 
&g;rippa :  |)e  Slppcals  to  Caesar 

Fourth  Day:     Paul  Appears  Before  Agrippa 

After  Paul  had  appealed  to  Caesar,  he  remained  in  prison  at 
Caesarea,  waiting  to  be  sent  to  Rome.  Meanwhile,  Agrippa,  King 
of  Galilee  and  the  region  east  of  the  Jordan,  came  to  pay  an  official 
visit  to  Festus.  During  the  course  of  this  visit  Paul  was  brought 
before  Agrippa  for  an  informal  hearing. 

1.  Read  Acts  25:13-27. 

2.  Agrippa,  known  accurately  as  Agrippa  II,  was  the  great-grandson 

of  Herod  the  Great.  He  was  the  last  of  the  Herod  family 
celebrated  in  history.     Bernice  was  his  sister. 

3.  Josephus,    the   Jewish   historian,    records    the    fact   that   Agrippa 

displayed  great  anxiety  to  stand  well  with  Roman  governors. 
Festus  had  just  entered  upon  his  office,  consequently  Agrippa 
came  to  pay  his  first  official  visit. 

4.  Verses    14-21 :     Festus  detailed   Paul's   case   to   Agrippa,   hoping 

that  he  would  be  able  to  suggest  what  charges  should  be  sent 
to  the  Emperor. 

5.  Verse  23 :     "The  Herods  were  fond  of  show,  and  Festus  gratified 

their  humor  by  a  grand  processional  display.  He  would  doubt- 
less appear  in  his  scarlet  paludament,  with  his  full  attendance 
of  lictors  and  bodyguards,  who  would  stand  at  arms  behind 
the  gilded  chairs  which  were  placed  for  himself  and  his  dis- 
tinguished visitors.  We  are  expressly  told  that  Agrippa  and 
Bernice  went  in  state  to  the  Prsetorium,  she,  doubtless,  blazing 
in  all  her  jewels,  and  he  in  his  purple  robes,  and  both  with 
the  golden  circlets  of  royalty  around  their  foreheads,  and  at- 
tended by  a  suite  of  followers  in  the  most  gorgeous  apparel  of 
Eastern  pomp." — Canon  Farrar. 

6.  Verse  26:     Why  was  Festus  anxious  to  have  Agrippa  listen  to 

Paul  ?     See  Acts  26 :2  and  3. 

7.  Verses  26  and  27 :     The  governor  had  to  send  to  the  Emperor, 

along  with  the  accused  man,  an  elogium,  or  statement  of  the 
crime.    It  is  to  this  elogium  that  Festus  refers  in  these  verses. 

8.  This  hearing  before  Agrippa  was  not  a  judicial  trial;   the  case 

was  no  longer  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Festus — it  belonged 
to  the  Emperor. 


150  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  XIX:s 

Study  XIX. — Paul  3ppeans  before  JFcltr,  JFcetua,  anto 
ftsrippa :  i)c  Appeals  to  Causae 

Fifth  Day:     Paul's  Speech  Before  Agrippa 

At  the  informal  hearing  before  Agrippa,  Paul  delivered  a  speech 
in  which  he  gave  an  account  of  his  life  and  labors.  This  speech 
may  be  divided  into  two  parts.  The  first  part,  which  contains  in 
brief  the  story  of  his  life  until  his  conversion,  will  be  the  subject 
of  to-day's   lesson. 

1.  Read  Acts  26:1-11. 

2.  What  promise   of  the  Lord   was   fulfilled   by   Paul's   appearance 

before  Agrippa?     See  Acts  9:13-15. 

3.  Verses  2  and  3 :     Observe  how  tactfully  Paul  begins  his  speech. 

Compare  with  this,  Acts  24:10. 

4.  In  verses  6-8,  Paul  says  that  the  Jews  accused  him  for  teaching 

that  Jesus  was  the  Messiah,  and  that  He  rose  from  the  dead. 
Yet  the  charges  of  the  Jews,  as  given  in  Acts  25  :8,  are  that  he 
taught  against  the  Law  of  Moses,  that  he  profaned  the  temple, 
and  that  he  stirred  up  opposition  to  Caesar.  Paul  is  now  speak- 
ing of  the  underlying  reason  for  the  hostility  of  the  Jews. 

5.  Verse    10:     The   R.V.    reads,   "I   gave   my   vote    against   them." 

To  what  body  did  Paul  belong  before  his  conversion,  if  he 
had  the  power  of  voting  against  those  who  were  heretics  from 
the  Jewish  point  of  view? 

6.  Verse  11:     What  verses  can  you  cite  to  show  how  Paul  perse- 

cuted the  Christians  "even  unto  foreign  cities"? 

7.  How  did  Paul's  persecution  of  the  Christians  directly  help  the 

spread  of  the  Gospel? 
Prayer:  "We  humbly  beseech  Thee,  O  heavenly  Father,  to  do 
away  as  the  night  all  our  transgressions,  and  to  scatter  our  sins 
as  the  morning  cloud.  Lord,  forgive  whatsoever  is  amiss  in  us, 
cleanse  us  from  our  sin,  and  let  Thy  Holy  Spirit  so  go  before  and 
accompany  and  follow  us  day  by  day,  that  we  may  believe  in  Thee, 
and  love  Thee,  and  keep  Thy  commandments,  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord."    Amen. 


XIX  :6  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  151 

Study  XIX. — Jkttl  Appears  before  jFeltj;,  jFefitus,  an* 
&srippa :  J)c  Appeals  to  Caesar 

Sixth    Day:     Paul's    Speech   Before    Agrippa    (Con- 
tinued) 

In  the  second  part  of  his  speech,  Paul  tells  of  his  conversion  and 
of  his  activity  as  a  Christian  preacher. 

1.  Read  Acts  26:12-23. 

2.  Verses   12  to  18  contain  an  account  of  Paul's  conversion.    You 

have  already  studied  two  accounts  of  this  event.  Where  may 
they  be  found? 

3.  Verse  14 :     This  verse  contains  two  statements  not  found  in  the 

preceding  accounts  of  Paul's  conversion :  that  Jesus  spoke  to 
Paul  in  Hebrew  (Aramaic),  and  that  He  said,  "It  is  hard 
for  thee  to  kick  against  the  goad"  (R.V.). 

4.  From  this  use  of  the  figure  of  an  ox  kicking  against  the  goad, 

what  do  you  infer  concerning  Paul's  inward  condition  just 
before  his  conversion? 

5.  This  is  the  first  appearance  of  Jesus  to  Paul    (verse  15).     For 

other  appearances,  see  Acts  18:9;  22:17  and  18;  2  Cor.  12:1-4; 
and  Acts  23:11.  How  did  these  visions  enable  Paul  to  answer 
the  charge  of  his  enemies  that  he  was  not  a  true  apostle? 

6.  Verse  20:     In  what  Gentile  lands  had  Paul  preached? 

7.  Who  are  meant  by  "the  people"  of  verse  23? 

Thought  for  To-day  :  Have  you  ever  discovered  the  truth  of 
the  statement  that  "it  is  hard  to  kick  against  the  pricks"?  Are 
you,  at  the  present  time,  resisting  God's  will,  or  refusing  to  do  some 
duty  that  you  ought  to  perform? 

Prayer:  "O  Lord,  give  me  grace,  by  constant  obedience  to  offer 
up  my  will  and  my  heart  as  an  acceptable  sacrifice  unto  Thee." 
Amen. 


i  52  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  XIX7 

Study  XIX. — Paul  ftppcard  before  -Trltjr,  £t&tu&,  anU 
ftgxtppa :  £>e  ftppcalc  to  Caesar 

Seventh  Day  :     Paul's  Speech  Before  Agrippa   (Con- 
cluded) 

Much  that  Paul  said  was  unintelligible  to  Festus,  who  finally  inter- 
rupted him  by  saying  that  his  mind  was  unbalanced.  Paul  then 
turned  to  King  Agrippa  and  appealed  to  him  as  to  the  truth  of 
his  statements.  Agrippa  answered  Paul  with  a  flippant  reply,  where- 
upon the  hearing  terminated. 

1.  Read  Acts  26:24-32. 

2.  Remembering  that  Festus  was  a  Roman,  recently  come  to  Pales- 

tine, what  parts  of  Paul's  speech  do  you  think  he  would  fail 
to  understand? 

3.  The   word   translated   "learning"    (verse  24)    is   the    same   word 

which  is  rendered  "letters"  in  John  7:14-16.  Festus  evidently 
regards  Paul  as  a  religious  fanatic,  crazed  by  poring  over  the 
Scriptures. 

4.  In  verse  26,  what  does  Paul  mean  by  saying,  "this  hath  not  been 

done  in  a  corner"?     See  John  12:19  and  Acts  17:6. 

5.  The  words  of  Agrippa  in  verse  28  have  generally  been  misinter- 

preted and  misunderstood ;  this  is  due  to  the  fact  that  they 
are  incorrectly  translated  in  the  A.V.  The  A.V.  reads,  "Almost 
thou  persuadest  me  to  be  a  Christian."  The  R.V.  is  nearer 
the  original  Greek :  "With  but  little  persuasion  thou  wouldst 
fain  make  me  a  Christian."  Paul  had  just  said,  in  verses  22 
and  22,  that  the  death  and  resurrection  of  Christ  were  foretold 
by  the  prophets.  Turning  then  to  Agrippa,  he  asked:  "King 
Agrippa,  believest  thou  the  prophets  r  I  know  that  thou  be- 
lievest."  The  inference  is,  of  course,  that  if  Agrippa  believed 
the  prophets,  he  ought  also  to  believe  that  Jesus  was  the 
Messiah  promised  by  them.  This  inference  Agrippa  dismissed 
with  the  half-jesting,  if  not  contemptuous,  reply:  "You  are 
trying  with  little  trouble,  and  in  a  short  time,  to  make  me  a 
Christian." 

6.  Observe    the    serious    turn    which    Paul    gives    to   the    words    of 

Agrippa  as  he  replies:  "I  would  to  God,  that  whether  with 
little  or  with  much,  not  thou  only,  but  also  all  that  hear  me 
this  day,   might  become   such   as   I   am,   except  these  bonds." 

(R.V.) 
The  Name  Christian  :    What  was  the  origin  of  the  name  Chris- 
tian?    What  does  James  say  of  this  name?     See  James  2:7. 


XX: i  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  153 

Study  XX. — JJattl  is  H>ent  ta  Eome:  |)tei  Sopage  anU 

First  Day:     From  Cesarea  to  Fair  Havens  in  Crete 

When  it  was  decided  to  send  Paul  to  Rome,  he  and  other  pris- 
oners were  put  on  board  a  vessel  that  left  Csesarea  late  in  the  sum- 
mer or  early  in  the  autumn  of  60  a.d.  Owing  to  adverse  winds,  the 
sailors  were  obliged  to  alter  their  course  and  run  for  safety  into 
a  harbor  on  the  south  side  of  Crete. 

1.  Read  Acts  27:1-8. 

2.  Why  was  Paul  sent  to  Rome? 

3.  The  merchant  ships  of  the  ancients  were  different  from  modern 

sailing  vessels  in  several  important  respects.  Prow  and  stern 
were  practically  alike;  there  was  one  mast,  carrying  a  huge, 
square  sail ;  and  there  were  two  paddle-like  rudders,  which 
were  not  hinged  like  those  of  modern  ships,  but  were  loose, 
and  could  be  lifted  out  of  the  water  and  lashed  fast.  The 
single  mast,  with  its  large  sail,  concentrated  upon  the  hull  a 
great  strain  whenever  there  was  a  strong  wind,  hence  when 
a  storm  arose  there  was  danger  that  the  timbers  would  part. 
At  such  times,  undergirders  were  used — cables  which  were 
passed  around  the  hull  to  hold  the  planks  together. 

4.  What  indication  do  you  find  in  these  verses  that  Luke  was  with 

Paul? 

5.  Locate   Adramyttium.     What   previous    mention   has   been   made 

of  Aristarchus?     Acts  19:29  and  20:4. 

6.  Sidon  lay  on  the  road  between  Jerusalem  and  Antioch,  67  miles 

from  Csesarea.     Had  Paul  ever  been  in  Sidon? 

7.  What  led  Julius  to  treat  Paul  with  so  much  consideration  (verse 

3)  ?  Why  did  Paul  need  to  "refresh  himself"  or  "receive  atten- 
tion" (R.V.  margin)   at  Sidon? 

8.  A  vessel    sailing   from    Sidon   to   Adramyttium   would   naturally 

pass  to  the  west  of  Cyprus  (see  map).  But  the  wind  blew 
from  the  west  or  northwest,  so  that  Paul's  ship  sailed  under 
the  lee — that  is,  to  the  east  of  Cyprus — and  then  took  advantage 
of  the  current  and  the  land  breezes  of  Cilicia  and  Pamphylia 
to  reach  Myra.     Locate  Myra. 

9.  Verses  6  and  7 :     The  strong  west  or  northwest  wind  still  con- 

tinued to  blow.  The  ship  of  Alexandria  had  probably  been 
forced  from  its  course  by  it.  On  account  of  this  same  wind  the 
ship  now  has  difficulty  in  going  from  Myra  to  Cnidos,  and  is 
obliged  to  run  to  the  southwest,  under  the  lee  of  Crete,  into 
Fair  Havens. 


154  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  XX  .2 

Study  XX. — paul  is  §>rnt  to  Home :  pin  Boj>ag;e  anto 
Second  Day  :     Departure  from  Crete  :    A  Storm  Arises 

After  the  delay  in  Crete,  the  season  had  come  in  which  navigation 
was  dangerous.  As  Fair  Havens  was  an  unsuitable  harbor  in 
which  to  winter,  an  attempt  was  made  to  reach  Phoenix,  in  south- 
western Crete,  but  a  violent  northeast  wind  drove  them  away  from 
the  island,  off  toward  the  southwest. 

1.  Read  Acts  27:9-19. 

2.  Verse  9:     The  Fast  was  the  Jewish  Day  of  Atonement,  which 

was  observed  about  the  first  of  October.  In  ancient  times  the 
period  favorable  to  navigation  in  the  Mediterranean  extended 
from  March  to  October.  From  October  until  spring  the  sky 
was  obscured  much  of  the  time,  so  that  the  stars  could  not  be 
observed.  It  should  be  remembered  that  there  were  no  com- 
passes, quadrants,  or  sextants  in  those  days. 

3.  What  perils  had  Paul   already  experienced  upon  the  sea?     See 

2  Cor.  11 :25. 

4.  Verse  12:     Phcenix  (or  Phenice)   was  about  forty  miles  west  of 

Fair  Havens.  The  R.V.  gives  the  proper  translation  of  the 
original — "a  haven  of  Crete  looking  northeast  and  southeast," 
or  freely,  "a  haven  looking  down  along  the  southwest  wind 
(Lips)   and  the  northwest  wind    (Choros)." 

5.  Verses  13  and  14 :    The  south  wind  was  Notus ;  Euraquilo  (verse 

14)  was  the  northeast  wind.  The  wind  suddenly  shifted  from 
the  south  to  the  northeast,  and  became  what  Luke  calls  a 
"typhonic  wind,"  for  such  is  the  meaning  of  the  word  rendered 
in  the  R.V.  as  "tempestuous." 

6.  Verse   15 :     The  ship  was  driven  to  the  southwest  under  Cauda 

(A.V.,  Clauda).  Cauda  is  twenty  miles  from  Cape  Matala,  off 
Crete. 

7.  Verse  16:    The  ship's  boat  had  been  towed  behind  until  now. 

8.  Verse  17:     Why  did  the  sailors  undergird  the  ship?     The  Syrtis 

(quicksands,  A.V.)  is  the  Syrtis  Major  of  Africa,  off  to  the 
southwest,  filled  with  sandbars  and  shoals. 

9.  Verses  17-19:     The  R.V.  gives  the  best  translation:    "They  low- 

ered the  gear,  and  so  were  driven.  And  as  we  labored  exceed- 
ingly with  the  storm,  the  next  day  they  began  to  throw  the 
freight  overboard;  and  the  third  day  they  cast  out  with  their 
own  hands  the  tackling  [furniture]  of  the  ship." 

A  Storm  at  Sea:    Read  verses  23  to  31  of  the  107th  Psalm. 


XX  :3  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  155 

Study  XX. — flattl  is  &ent  to  Eome :  pin  Eopajje  atOJ 

Third  Day:    The  Storm  Continues:     Paul's  Vision: 

They  Near  Land 

The  violence  of  the  storm  still  continued.  After  some  days  Paul 
had  a  vision  in  which  he  was  assured  that  the  lives  of  none  on  board 
should  be  lost.  At  the  end  of  the  second  week,  the  vessel  neared 
land  about  midnight.  The  sailors  cast  out  four  anchors,  and  waited 
for  day. 

1.  Read  Acts  27:20-32. 

2.  Why  was  the  absence  of  sun  and  stars  a  serious  misfortune  (verse 

20)  ?    Why  had  they  been  a  long  time  without  food  (verse  21)  ? 

3.  Paul's  vision : 

(a)  Compare  verse  22  with  verse  10.  Does  Paul  make  the 
statement  in  verse  10  by  inspiration  or  on  his  own  author- 
ity and  judgment? 

(b)  Beginning  with  the  first  chapter  of  Acts,  what  part  do 
angels  play  in  the  history  of  the  Christian  Church?  See 
Acts  5:19;  8:26;  10:3;  12:7-10. 

(c)  Verse  24:  How  do  you  interpret  the  words,  "God  hath 
granted  thee  all  them  that  sail  with  thee"? 

4.  The  approach  to  land : 

(a)  The  Sea  of  Adria :  That  part  of  the  Mediterranean  be- 
tween Crete  and  Sicily  was  sometimes  loosely  designated  as 
"the  Sea  of  Adria." 

(b)  Why  did  the  sailors  surmise  that  land  was  near? 

5.  Verses   30-32 :     Paul   was   not  heeded  when   he  gave  the  advice 

contained  in  verse  10.  Why  do  the  centurion  and  soldiers 
obey  him  so  readily  now? 
Paul  as  a  Leader:  "A  ship  is  a  kind  of  miniature  of  the  world. 
It  is  a  floating  island,  in  which  there  are  the  government  and  the 
governed.  But  the  government  is  like  that  of  states,  liable  to  sudden 
social  upheavals,  in  which  the  ablest  man  is  thrown  to  the  top.  This 
was  a  voyage  of  extreme  perils,  which  required  the  utmost  presence 
of  mind  and  power  of  winning  the  confidence  and  obedience  of  those 
on  board.  Before  it  was  ended  Paul  was  virtually  both  the  captain 
of  the  ship  and  the  general  of  the  soldiers;  and  all  on  board  owed 
him  their  lives." — Stalker. 


156  Studies   in   the   Life  of  St.   Paul  XX   \ 

Study  XX. — Paul  te  &ent  to  Home:  t>i&  Sopap  anti 

Fourth  Day  :     The  Ship  Goes  to  Pieces:  All  the  Men 

Reach  Land 

In  the  morning  the  sailors  raised  the  anchors,  and  attempted  to 
run  the  ship  ashore.  The  ship  grounded  where  two  currents  met, 
and  was  quickly  battered  to  pieces  by  the  waves.  The  men,  on  bits 
of  wreckage  and  by  swimming,  reached  the  land. 

1.  Read  Acts  27:33-44. 

2.  Verse  35 :    "In  the  sight  of  the  heathen  soldiers  and  sailors,  Paul 

broke  the  bread  in  solemn  thanksgiving,  and  thus  converted  the 
whole  into  a  religious  act,  which  can  hardly  have  been  without 
its  influence  on  the  minds  of  some,  at  all  events,  of  those  who 
had  heard  St.  Paul's  previous  words  about  the  revelation  which 
God  had  made  to  him." — Lumby. 

3.  Verse  36:     Paul's  reassuring  manner  and  words  of  good  cheer 

were  contagious :  the  men  caught  his  hopeful  spirit. 

4.  Why  did  they  lighten  the  ship  still  further    (verse  38)  ? 

5.  St.   Paul's  Bay,  in  Malta,  is  pointed  out  as  the  scene  of  Paul's 

landing.  Close  inshore  is  a  small  island  called  Salmonetta. 
Between  this  island  and  the  shore  is  a  strong  current  that  has 
formed  a  mudbank.  Here  the  ship  grounded  at  a  point  where 
the  current  met  the  waves  of  the  sea.  The  ship  was  still  a 
short  distance  from  the  land,  hence  the  men  had  to  swim. 

6.  Verse  42 :   A  Roman  soldier  might  forfeit  his  own  life,  if  he  lost  a 

prisoner. 

7.  Verse  43:    What  favors  had  the  centurion  already  granted  Paul? 

Why  did  he  grant  them? 

"The  calm,  the  breeze,  the  gale,  the  storm, 
The  ocean  and  the  land, 
All,  all  are  Thine,  and  held  within 
The  hollow  of  Thy  hand. 

"Across  this  troubled  tide  of  life 

Thyself  our  pilot  be, 
Until  we  reach  that  better  land, 
The  land  that  knows  no  sea." 

— Edward  A.  Dayman. 


XX  :5  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  157 

Study  XX. — JJaul  is  ^>ent  to  Home :  ^is  ©opag;e  ana 

Fifth  Day:     The  Landing  on  Malta:     Paul  Bitten 

by  a  Viper 

When  the  men  from  the  wrecked  vessel  had  reached  land,  they 
found  it  to  be  the  island  of  Melita  (the  modern  Malta).  While 
gathering  wood  for  a  fire,  Paul  was  bitten  by  a  viper.  The  natives 
were  surprised  that  he  suffered  no  harm  therefrom,  and  concluded 
that  he  was  a  god. 

1.  Read  Acts  28:1-6. 

2.  Verse  1 :    Melita  of  this  narrative  is  now  generally  believed  to  be 

Malta,  an  island  17^4  miles  long  by  g1/^  miles  wide,  about  60 
miles  south  of  Sicily.  It  was  a  Roman  possession,  with  the 
rights  of  a  municipium,  and  belonged  to  the  province  of  Sicily. 

3.  Verse  2 : 

(a)  "The  barbarians":  The  word  barbarians  (Greek fidpfiapoi) 
was  used  by  the  Greeks  as  the  designation  of  all  those 
who  did  not  speak  Greek  and  were  destitute  of  Greek 
culture.  Judging  from  the  presence  of  the  word  in  this 
verse,  Luke,  the  writer  of  Acts,  must  have  been  a  Greek. 
It  should  also  be  remembered  that  he  was  a  physician  and 
a  man  of  no  little  education. 

(b)  The  men  of  Melita  were  descendants  of  a  Phoenician 
colony;  perhaps  they  had  come  from  Carthage. 

4.  Verse  3 :    Observe  that  Paul  helps  the  barbarians  gather  firewood ; 

Paul,  wherever  he  might  be,  was  always  energetically  and  ac- 
tively engaged  in  helping  others. 

5.  Verse  4: 

(a)  The  fact  that  there  are  now  no  vipers  in  Malta  does  not 
prove  that  there  were  none  eighteen  hundred  years  ago. 

(b)  The  barbarians  knew  that  Paul  was  a  prisoner,  and  so 
thought  that  he  was  surely  a  criminal. 

6.  Verse  5:    Of  what  promise  of  Jesus  is  this  verse  a  fulfilment? 

See  Mark  16:17  and  18.  Paul  may  have  had  this  saying  of 
Jesus  in  mind ;  possibly  also  the  promise  of  Acts  27 124. 

7.  When  and  where  before  this  occasion  was   Paul  regarded  as  a 

god? 


158  Studies    in    the    Life   of  St.   Paul  XX  :6 

Study  XX. — {Jaul  to  l^rnt  to  Eomc :  |)t0  Bopajje  anto 
Sixth  Day:     Paul  Works  Miracles  in  Malta 

During  the  winter  season  of  three  months  which  the  shipwrecked 
men  spent  in  Malta,  Paul  wrought  many  miracles.  Consequently, 
when  Paul  was  about  to  leave  the  island,  the  natives  gave  him  and 
his  companions  many  gifts. 

1.  Read  Acts  28:7-10. 

2.  The  Greek  word  translated  "the  chief  man,"  in  verse  7,  seems  to 

have  been  an  official  title.  An  inscription  has  been  found  in 
Malta  in  which  a  certain  Roman  is  designated  in  the  same 
way.  Publius  may  have  been  the  governor  of  Malta,  serving 
as  deputy  to  the  praetor  of  Sicily. 

3.  Verse  7 :     What   other  instances   of  this   sort  do  you   recall   in 

which  men  of  wealth  or  official  position  were  kind  to  Paul  ? 
What  was  it  about  Paul  that  led  them  to  treat  him  with  so 
much  favor? 

4.  During  the  three  months  of  his   stay  in  Malta  is   it  likely  that 

Paul  did  anything  else  besides  heal  the  sick? 

5.  Mark  Malta  with  a  cross  upon  your  outline  map. 

6.  Tradition  asserts  that  Publius  was  the  first  bishop  of  Malta. 

7.  Verse    10 :     Special    marks   of   honor   and   esteem   were  given   to 

Paul  and  his  friends.     When  the  whole  party  of  men  left  the 
island,  all  of  the  soldiers  and  sailors  profited  from  their  asso- 
ciation with  Paul,  Luke,  and  Aristarchus. 
Lesson   Thought:     Paul   began  to   serve   others   as   soon  as   he 
landed  on  the  island  of  Malta,  and  he  continued  to  do  good  through- 
out his  stay.    Malta,  compared  with  Macedonia,  Greece,  or  Asia,  was 
a  humble  field  in  which  to  labor,  yet  the  apostle  found  plenty  to  do. 
Do  you  try  to  be  useful  in  helping  others  even  when  you  are  among 
the  lowly,  and  when  you  are  in  the  unattractive  and  least  inviting 
places  ? 


XX  7  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  159 

Study  XX. — JJattl  is  &ent  to  Eome:  j)is  Sopap  anU 

Seventh  Day:     From  Malta  to  Rome 

The  centurion  and  his  prisoners  remained  in  Malta  three  months. 
Now  that  the  season  for  navigation  was  open,  they  sailed  to  Italy, 
landed  at  Puteoli,  and  went  overland  to  Rome.  At  Rome,  Paul 
was  allowed  to  have  a  lodging  by  himself,  though  chained  constantly 
to  a  Roman  soldier. 

1.  Read  Acts  28:11-16. 

2.  Verse  11:    It  was  now  early  spring,  in  the  year  61  a.d.,  and  the 

ship  of  Alexandria  resumed  its  course  to  Italy.  Its  figureheads 
were  images  of  the  Twin  Brothers,  Castor  and  Pollux,  who,  in 
ancient  mythology,  were  the  sons  of  Zeus  and  Leda.  They 
were  thought  to  favor  sailors  in  their  voyages.  Castor  and 
Pollux  were  identified  with  the  constellation  called  Gemini — 
one  of  the  signs  of  the  zodiac. 

3.  Verse  12 :    Undoubtedly  there  were  Jews  at  Syracuse.     Tradition 

says  that  Paul  founded  a  church  there.  Mark  Syracuse  with  a 
cross. 

4.  Verse  13 :    Locate  Rhegium  and  Puteoli.     Puteoli,  in  the  Bay  of 

Naples,  was  one  of  the  great  ports  of  Rome.  Near  by  were 
many  of  the  fashionable  watering-places  of  Rome.  In  plain 
view,  also,  was  Vesuvius,  which  a  few  years  later  (79  a.d.) 
broke  forth  and  consumed  Pompeii  and  Herculaneum. 

5.  Apparently  the  party  did  tarry  seven  days  at  Puteoli   (verse  14). 

How  do  you  account  for  the  presence  of  Christian  brethren  at 
Puteoli  ? 

6.  Meanwhile  news  had  reached  Rome  that  Paul  was  coming. 

(a)  What  communication  had  Paul  previously  had  with  the 
Roman  Christians? 

(b)  Note  that  in  the  sixteenth  chapter  of  Romans,  Paul  sends 
personal  greetings  to  no  less  than  twenty-seven  members 
of  the  Church  at  Rome.  Many  of  these  may  have  been 
earlier  converts  of  his  in  the  East. 

7.  Locate  the  Market  of  Appius  and  the  Three  Taverns.    The  former 

is  40  miles  from  Rome,  the  latter  30.  The  devotion  of  the 
men  who  came  as  far  as  these  places  to  meet  him  greatly 
cheered  Paul. 

8.  Verse  16:    Julius,  the  centurion,  was  probably  the  one  who  se- 

cured this  concession  for  Paul.  How  long  had  Julius  known 
Paul?  Paul  often  alludes  to  his  "bonds,"  meaning  the  chain 
by  which  he  was  bound  to  the  soldiers  who  guarded  him. 


PART  VIII 

Paul's  Imprisonment  and  Death  at  Rome 

Study    XXI. — Two  Years  in  Prison  at  Rome 
Study  XXII. — Paul's  Last  Travels,  Second  Imprisonment,  and 
Death 


161 


XXI  :i  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  163 

Study  XXL— &too  gears  in  prison  at  Home 
First  Day:    Paul  Calls  Together  the  Chief  Jews  of 

Rome 

Three  days  after  his  arrival  at  Rome,  Paul  called  together  the 
chief  officers  of  the  Jewish  synagogues  of  the  city.  He  did  this 
that  he  might,  by  a  conference  with  them,  both  clear  himself  of 
unjust  suspicion,  and  also  assure  them  that  he  was  not  seeking  to 
involve  the  Jews  in  trouble  with  the  Romans. 

1.  Read  Acts  28:17-22. 

2.  Verse  17 : 

(a)  How  would  Paul  naturally  spend  these  first  three  days? 

(b)  How  had  the  Christian  Church  at  Rome  come  into  exist- 
ence?   See  page  128. 

(c)  Were  these  chief  men  of  the  Jews  Christians?  See  verses 
21  and  22. 

(d)  Many  Jews  had  been  carried  to  Rome  as  slaves  by  Pompey. 
Most  of  them  were  freed  at  a  later  time,  and  some  of  them 
even  became  Roman  citizens.  They  were  a  wealthy  and 
important  class  in  the  population  of  the  city ;  they  had 
seven  synagogues ;  and  they  occupied  a  quarter  on  the 
west  bank  of  the  Tiber. 

3.  Verses   17-20:    "St.   Paul  shows  himself  the  patriotic  Jew.     He 

knew  how  many  things  his  fellow-countrymen  had  suffered  at 
the  hands  of  the  Roman  power,  and  he  did  not  wish  in  any 
way  to  bring  on  them  more  trouble.  He  therefore  explains 
that  he  had  taken  the  course  of  appealing  to  Caesar  only  because 
he  saw  no  other  means  of  obtaining  his  release.  If  that  were 
secured  he  wished  to  lay  no  charge  at  the  door  of  his  accusers 
or  their  brethren  in  Rome." — Lumby. 

4.  What  information  does  verse  22  give  concerning  the  spread  and 

influence  of  the  Christian  Church? 

5.  The  Jews  at  Rome  did  not  appear  at  all  hostile  to  Paul,  nor  did 

they  seem  anxious  to  prosecute  him.  It  was  only  a  few  years 
after  the  repeal  of  the  edict  of  Claudius  banishing  the  Jews 
from  Rome;  probably  they  were  loath  to  become  again  involved 
in  religious  controversies  and  tumults. 


164  Studies    in    the   Life   of  St.   Paul  XXI  .2 

Study  XXL— 2T  too  gears  in  prison  at  Borne 

Second  Day:     Paul  Preaches  to  the  Chief  Jews  of 

Rome 

In  their  first  interview  with  Paul  the  chief  Jews  of  Rome  desired 
him  to  explain  the  beliefs  of  the  Christians.  Accordingly,  on  an 
appointed  day  they  assembled  in  the  house  in  which  Paul  was  stay- 
ing. All  day  long  Paul  preached  to  them  concerning  the  Kingdom 
of  God. 

1.  Read  Acts  28:23-29. 

2.  Verse  23 : 

(a)  The  R.V.  has  "in  great  number";  better  still,  it  might  be 
rendered,  "they  came  to  him  into  his  lodging  in  greater 
numbers"    (than  before). 

(b)  Paul  was  probably  lodging  in  the  house  of  a  Christian. 
Some  think  it  may  have  been  the  home  of  Aquila  and 
Priscilla. 

(c)  "From  morning  till  evening."  On  what  occasion  did  Paul 
preach  all  night?     See  Acts  20:7-11. 

3.  Verses  25-27 :    Verify  this  quotation,  which  may  be  found  in  the 

sixth  chapter  of  Isaiah. 

4.  Verse  28  contains  the  last  words  of  St.  Paul  which  Luke  records. 

It  is  significant  that  they  were  spoken  concerning  the  pub- 
lishing of  the  Gospel  to  the  Gentiles.  It  had  been  Paul's  prac- 
tice to  preach  to  the  Jews  first  and  then  to  the  Gentiles ;  his 
work  at  Rome  opens  in  the  same  way.     See  also  Romans  1:16. 

5.  Verse  29:    This  verse,  which  is  not  found  in  the  R.V.,  is  given 

in  the  A.V.  as  follows :    "And  when  he  had  said  these  words, 

the  Jews  departed,  and  had  great  reasoning  among  themselves." 

Some  of  the  ancient  manuscripts  contain  the  verse,  others  do 

not.     The  best  manuscripts  agree  in  omitting  it. 

Lesson    Thought:     The    despised    Gentiles     (the    Greeks    and 

Romans)    were   more   willing  to   accept  the   Gospel   than   were   the 

proud  and   exclusive  Jews.     Are   some   of  your   acquaintances,   on 

whom   you   may   look    with    condescension,    if   not    with    contempt, 

more  willing  to  receive  and  live  the  Gospel  than  you  are?     Does 

such  pride  and  self-will  become  you? 


XXI -.3  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paid  165 

Study  XXL— Ctoo  gears  in  JJrteon  at  Eame 
Third  Day  :     Paul's  Manner  of  Life  at  Rome 

During  his  imprisonment  at  Rome,  Paul  was  treated  with  great 
consideration;  though  chained  constantly  to  a  Roman  soldier,  he 
was  allowed  to  live  in  his  own  hired  house  and  receive  his  friends 
and  any  other  men  who  might  wish  to  visit  him.  He  also  preached 
the  Kingdom  of  God  with  all  boldness.  At  this  time,  too,  he  wrote 
several  epistles,  which  are  preserved. 

1.  Read  Acts  28:30  and  31. 

2.  Verse  30:    Where  did  Paul  get  the  money  with  which  to  hire  a 

house?  In  the  epistles  of  this  period  he  says  nothing  about 
working  at  his  trade :  in  fact,  it  is  unlikely  that  he  did  so  labor 
while  chained  to  a  Roman  soldier.  Money,  too,  would  be  re- 
quired to  carry  his  appeal  up  to  Caesar :  there  would  be  lawyers' 
fees  and  other  expenses.  Possibly  Paul  may  have  inherited 
property  from  his  father  at  this  time,  or  may  have  had  rich  and 
powerful  friends  who  provided  for  him.  Paul  always  moved 
and  acted  like  a  man  accustomed  to  high  social  position.  He 
appeared  on  terms  of  equality  with  Roman  governors,  praetors, 
and  centurions,  and  was  unabashed  in  the  presence  of  King 
Agrippa. 

3.  Paul  was  a  prisoner  at  Rome  during  the  years  61-63  a.d.     Who 

was  the  Roman  Emperor  at  that  time,  and  what  was  his  char- 
acter ? 

4.  Paul  was  chained  constantly  to  a  soldier  of  the  Praetorian  guard. 

These  guards  relieved  one  another  at  intervals.  Many  a  rough 
soldier  would  hear  Paul  as  he  preached  and  taught  the  Gospel, 
and  would  then  go  back  to  the  barracks  and  repeat  what  he 
had  heard.  Some  of  these  men  were  converted :  see  Philippians 
1:12  and  13  (R.V.)  ;  the  word  "palace"  (A.V.)  should  be 
"Praetorium"  or  "Praetorian  guard." 

5.  Paul's  case  was   delayed   for  two  years.     Such  delays   were  in- 

evitable ;    much   would   depend   on   a   mere   whim  of  the   Em- 
peror;   his    officers,    too,    doubtless    hoped   to    get    presents    of 
money  before  introducing  the  appeal. 
Lesson  Thought:    "Preaching     .     .     .     with  all  boldness,  none 
forbidding  him."     Truly  an  astonishing  outcome  for  a  prisoner  of 
the  Gospel.     What  English  writer,  likewise  a  prisoner  because  of 
his  religion,  wrote  a  book  that  has  influenced  and  helped  millions 
of  people? 


166  Studies  in   the  Life  of  St.   Paul  XXI  .4 

Study  XXL— Ctoo  Pears  in  flttson  at  Kame 
Fourth  Day  :     The  Epistle  to  the  Philippians 

Luke's  account  of  Paul's  life  and  work  ends  with  the  verses 
studied  yesterday.  The  remaining  events  of  his  life  can  be  learned 
duly  from  certain  statements  concerning  himself  which  he  makes 
in  his  epistles.  During  his  imprisonment  he  wrote  four  epistles  that 
are  preserved.     The  first  of  these  is  his  Epistle  to  the  Philippians. 

1.  When  did    Paul   first   visit    Philippi?     What   were   some   of  the 

incidents  of  the  visit?  How  many  times  did  he  visit  Philippi 
subsequently? 

2.  The  Church  at   Philippi  had  always  been  dear  to   Paul's  heart. 

They  had  sent  him  gifts  of  money  while  he  was  at  Thessa- 
lonica  on  his  second  missionary  journey.  During  Paul's  im- 
prisonment, the  Philippians  sent  Epaphroditus  to  him  with  a 
present.  While  in  Rome,  Epaphroditus  was  ill.  When  able 
to  return  to  Philippi,  he  carried  with  him  The  Epistle  to  the 
Philippians. 

THE  EPISTLE  TO  THE  PHILIPPIANS 

3.  Paul's  Affection  for  the  Philippians : 

(a)  He  longs  to  see  them :  Phil.  1  :j  and  8. 

(b)  His  gratitude  for  their  kindness  to  him:    Phil.  4:10-18. 

4.  Glimpses  of  Paul : 

(a)  His  influence  felt  throughout  the  Praetorian  guard :     Phil. 
1:12-14.     Also  in  Caesar's  household:    Phil.  4:22. 

(b)  Some  Jewish   Christians  are  trying  to  injure  him:    Phil. 

1  :i6-i9« 

(c)  Weary  of  imprisonment,   he  sometimes   longs  to   die   and 
be  with  Christ :    Phil.   1 :2i-24. 

(d)  He  plans  to  send  Timothy  to  Philippi:    Phil.  2:19-23. 

(e)  Paul   hopes  to  visit   the    Philippians   soon    himself:      Phil. 

2  :24.    He  sends  Epaphroditus  :    2  :25,  28  and  29. 

A  Summary:  Read  Paul's  review  of  his  own  career  and  estimate 
of  his  spiritual  condition  :    Philippians  3  :4-i4. 


XXI  :5  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  167 

Study  XXL — &too  gears  in  prison  at  Eome 

Fifth  Day  :    The  Epistle  to  the  Colossians 

The  second  of  the  four  letters,  written  while  Paul  was  a  prisoner 
at  Rome,  was  The  Epistle  to  the  Colossians.  This  letter  seems  to 
have  been  called  forth  by  the  appearance  of  errors  in  the  Church, 
due  to  the  teaching  of  certain  Jews,  and  to  the  introduction  of  false 
philosophical  doctrines  which  tended  to  rob  Christ  of  His  position  as 
the  Head  of  the  Church  and  the  Saviour  of  men. 

1.  Colossae  was  a  city  of  Phrygia,  on  the  Lycus  River,  twenty  miles 

from  the  Mseander.     Locate  Colossae,  and  mark  it  on  your  out- 
line map  with  a  cross. 

2.  Was  Paul  ever  in  Colossae?    See  Colossians  2:1. 

3.  For  possible   founders  of  the   Colossian   Church,   see   Col.    1 17 ; 

4:12;  and  4:17. 

THE  EPISTLE  TO  THE  COLOSSIANS 

4.  Paul's  Relation  to  the  Church: 

(a)  His  affection  for  them :    Col.   1 13  and  4. 

(b)  He  has  learned  about  them  from  Epaphras :   Col.  1  :J  and  8. 

5.  Doctrinal  Part: 

(a)   Solemn  warning  against  the  danger  of  false  philosophy  and 
Jewish  teaching :   Col.  2 :8-23. 

6.  Hortatory  Part: 

(a)   Practical  advice  for  Christian  living:    Col.  3:12-17. 

7.  Salutations  and  Personal  Matters : 

(a)  Tychicus  probably  bore  the  letter  to   Colossae :     Col.   4  \y 
and  8. 

(b)  Who  were  with  Paul  at  this  time?     Col.  4:10-14  and  1:1. 

(c)  What   other   letter,   now   lost,    was   probably   sent   at   this 
time?     See  Col.  4:16. 

(d)  Paul's  salutation.     Read  Col.  4:18.     Why  does   Paul  add 
this  autograph  salutation?     See  page  108,  section  4. 

Memory  Verse:    Memorize  Colossians  3:17. 


168  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  XXI:6 

Study  \\l.— ©too  J3card  in  Prison  at  Borne 
Sixth  Day:     The  Epistlk  to  Philemon 

When  Tychicus  carried  to  Colossac  The  Epistle  to  the  Colossians, 
he  was  accompanied  by  Onesimus.  Onesimus  was  a  runaway  slave 
belonging  to  Philemon  of  Colossae.  When  Onesimus  ran  away  from 
Colossae  he  came  to  Rome,  and  there  fell  under  the  influence  of 
Paul  and  was  converted.  To  restore  this  slave  to  the  favor  of  his 
master,  Paul  wrote  his  Epistle  to  Philemon.  It  is  the  briefest  of 
Paul's  letters;  it  contains  no  doctrinal  matter,  but  is  simply  a  letter 
from  one  Christian  gentleman  to  another  on  a  subject  requiring  no 
little  tact. 

1.  Tychicus  and  Onesimus  left  Rome  together  for  Colossae.     In  the 

Epistle  to  the  Colossians,  Paul  specially  commends  Onesimus. 
The  letter  would,  of  course,  be  read  publicly  in  the  church,  and 
all  the  Colossians  would  know  of  the  change  in  the  character 
of  Onesimus.     See  Col.  4:7-9  and  4:16. 

2.  Read  the  entire  Epistle  to  Philemon. 

3.  Verse  2 :    Apphia  was  possibly  the  wife  of  Philemon.     Archippus 

was  evidently  a  member  of  the  family,  perhaps  the  son  or 
brother  of  Philemon.     See  also  Col.  4:17. 

4.  Verses  8-14 :    Observe  with  what  tact   Paul   asks   this    favor  of 

Philemon. 

5.  Verse  9:    "Paul  the  aged."     How  old  was   Paul  at  this  time? 

See  page  10. 

6.  Verses    10    and    11:     The    name    Onesimus    means    "profitable." 

Paul  puns  on  his  name ;  the  verses  might  be  rendered :  "I  be- 
seech thee  for  my  child,  whom  I  have  begotten  in  my  bonds, 
Profitable,  who  was  aforetime  Unprofitable  to  thee,  but  now 
profitable  to  thee  and  to  me." 

7.  What  light  do  verses  19  and  22  throw  on  Paul's  fortunes  at  this 

time?     See  also  page   165,   section  2. 

8.  Paul  now  expects  liberation :    See  verse  22. 

9  Observe  that  those  who  send  greetings,  verses  23  and  24,  are  the 
same  (with  one  exception)  as  those  who  send  greetings  at  the 
close  of  The  Epistle  to  the  Colossians. 

"The  Epistle  to  Philemon  has  been  described  as  the  letter  of  a 
Christian  gentleman,  animated  by  strong  Christian  feeling,  tempered 
with  discretion,  and  expressed  with  dignity  and  moderation  not  un- 
touched with  humour." — McClymont. 


XXI 7  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  169 

Study  XXI. — Ctoo  gears  in  fljrtfion  at  Eome 

Seventh  Day  :     The  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians 

The  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians  was  probably  a  general  epistle  sent 
to  a  number  of  churches  in  Asia  Minor.  Three  of  the  best  manu- 
scripts of  the  New  Testament  do  not  have  the  words  "at  Ephesus" 
in  chapter  1,  verse  I.  This,  coupled  with  the  fact  that  the  letter  has 
no  personal  references  and  greetings,  has  led  to  the  belief  given 
above.  When  copies  of  this  letter  were  made  for  the  individual 
churches,  the  name  of  the  church  was  inserted  in  chapter  1,  verse  1. 

1.  The  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians  was  written  at  the  same  time  as 

Colossians  and  Philemon.  In  Col.  4:7-9  Paul  says  he  is  send- 
ing Tychicus  to  Colossse ;  in  Ephesians  6 :2i  and  22,  he  says  he 
is  sending  Tychicus  to  Ephesus  (or  Asia).  Compare  especially 
Col.  4  :g  and  Eph.  6 122. 

2.  Tychicus  seems  to  have  been  the  bearer  of  this  epistle  as  well  as 

The  Epistle  to  the  Colossians.  Onesimus  probably  carried  The 
Epistle  to  Philemon. 

THE  EPISTLE  TO   THE  EPHESIANS 

"It  has  been  said  by  Coleridge  that  this  is  one  of  the  divinest 
compositions  of  man.  It  embraces  every  doctrine  of  Christianity; 
first,  those  doctrines  peculiar  to  Christianity;  secondly,  those  pre- 
cepts common  to  it  with  natural  religion.  .  .  .  The  first  half  of 
the  Epistle  is,  for  the  most  part,  a  hymn  of  praise  for  the  grace  of 
God,  manifested  according  to  His  good  pleasure  which  He  purposed 
in  Himself — accompanied  with  the  apostle's  prayer  for  his  readers 
that  they  may  realize  the  glory  of  their  calling.  ...  In  the 
second  part  the  apostle  descends  by  a  swift  and  beautiful  transition 
to  the  duties  of  common  life:  T  therefore,  the  prisoner  in  the  Lord, 
beseech  you  to  walk  worthily  of  the  calling  wherewith  ye  were 
called'  (4:1).  .  .  .  Finally  there  is  a  stirring  call  to  put  on  the 
whole  armor  of  God  for  the  conflict  with  the  powers  of  evil — a 
metaphor  which  may  have  been  suggested  to  Paul  by  his  military 
surroundings  at  Rome." — McClymont. 

3.  Read  Ephesians  6:10-18. 

Paul's  Sublime  Prayer:  Read  slowly  and  carefully  Ephesians 
3:14-21,  and  try  to  realize  what  it  meant  to  Paul  to  write  those 
words.  Pray,  too,  that  this  prayer  may  be  laden  with  meaning  to 
you  as  well. 


170  Studies   in   the  Life  of  St.   Paul  XXIT:t 

Study  XXII. — Paul's  Last  Cratocle,  §cconU  imprisonment, 

ana  £)eatl) 

First  Day:     Paul's  Last  Travels 

Paul's  first  imprisonment  in  Rome  lasted  two  years.  During  that 
time  he  wrote  the  four  epistles  recently  studied :  Philippians,  Co- 
lossians,  Philemon,  and  Ephesians.  From  the  three  epistles  which 
yet  remain  for  study — First  Timothy,  Titus,  and  Second  Timothy — 
it  is  possible  to  learn  something  about  Paul's  last  travels  and  about 
his  second  imprisonment  that  ended  in  his  death. 

The  order  of  the  closing  events  in  Paul's  life  is  extremely  un- 
certain. The  arrangement  given  in  to-day's  lesson  is  substantially 
that  contained  in  Professor  Burton's  Records  and  Letters  of  the 
Apostolic  Age,  pages  225,  226. 

1.  Paul  expected  to  be  released  from  prison  and  to  visit  Macedonia 

and  Asia:    Philippians  2:24  and  Philemon  22. 

2.  He  may  have  gone  to  Spain:    St.  Chrysostom   (347-407  a.d.)   de- 

clares that  St.  Paul,  after  his  residence  in  Rome,  departed  to 
Spain.  It  was  Paul's  intention  to  visit  Spain :  see  Romans 
15  :24-28. 

3.  He   returned   to   the   East,    and   visited   Ephesus,    where   he   left 

Timothy  in  charge :     1  Tim.  1 13. 

4.  He  went  into  Macedonia.    While  there  he  wrote  his  First  Epistle 

to  Timothy. 

5.  He  went  from  Macedonia  to  Asia,  stopping  at  Troas,  where  he 

left  a  cloak  and  some  books:  2  Tim.  4:13.  From  Troas  he 
journeyed  to  Miletus,  where  he  left  Trophimus :    2  Tim.  4:20. 

6.  From  Miletus  he  went  to  Crete,  where  he  left  Titus :   Titus  1 :5. 

7.  From  Crete  he  went  to  Corinth,  where  he  left  Erastus   (2  Tim. 

4:20),  and  thence  probably  wrote  his  Epistle  to  Titus. 

8.  From  Corinth  he  went  to  Nicopolis   (Titus  3:12).     Here  he  was 

arrested,  and  sent  hence  to  Rome. 

9.  In  Rome  he  wrote  The  Second  Epistle  to  Timothy,  and  was  be- 

headed under  Nero  in  65  a.d. 


XXII  .2  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  171 

Study  XXII. — Paul's  Last  GTratoete,  &econ&  imprisonment, 

anto  3Deat& 

Second  Day:    Paul's  First  Epistle  to  Timothy 

Among  the  places  that  Paul  visited  after  his  release  from  prison 
was  the  city  of  Ephesus.  Here  he  left  Timothy  in  charge  of  the 
Church,  and  departed  for  Macedonia.  While  in  Macedonia  the 
apostle  wrote  the  letter  known  as  The  First  Epistle  to  Timothy. 

1.  What  was  Timothy's  native  city?     Who  were  his  parents?     See 

Acts  16:1  and  2  Timothy  1:5. 

2.  To  whom  was  the  conversion  of  Timothy  due?     See  1  Tim.  1:2. 

3.  Timothy  accompanied  Paul  on  his  second  and  third  missionary 

journeys.  He  was  also  with  the  apostle  at  Rome.  When  Paul 
wrote  to  the  Philippians,  he  purposed  to  send  Timothy  to  them. 
Read  Philippians  2:19-22.  When  Paul  came  east  from  Rome, 
he  may  have  found  Timothy  at  Ephesus. 

4.  Paul  was  in  Macedonia  when  he  wrote  his  First  Epistle  to  Tim- 

othy: 1  Tim.  1:3  and  4;  he  expected  to  revisit  Ephesus  in  the 
near  future:  1  Tim.  3:14  and  15,  but  fearing  that  he  might 
be  hindered,  he  wrote  this  letter  of  instructions  to  Timothy. 

THE  FIRST   EPISTLE  TO   TIMOTHY 

5.  Paul's  cares   were  increasing  daily.     The   Church   was  growing 

rapidly  and  gaining  in  importance ;  questions  of  organization 
and  of  Church  government  were  in  need  of  settlement ;  false 
doctrines  of  two  general  classes  were  noticeable :  Judaistic 
teaching  concerning  the  Law  of  Moses  as  essential  to  faith ; 
and  teaching  of  an  obscure  character,  involving  Greek  and 
Oriental  philosophy. 

6.  Paul  wrote  this  letter  to  inspire  Timothy  with  a  high  ideal  of 

life  and  conduct  that  he  might  successfully  organize  and  ad- 
minister the  Church  at  Ephesus,  and  might  root  out  heresies 
and  elevate  the  moral  tone  of  the  members. 

7.  Exhortations  addressed  to  Timothy : 

(a)  His  mission  at  Ephesus  1 13  and  4. 

(b)  General  charge  to  Timothy.    Read  1  Tim.  1:18-20;  4:6-16; 
6:6-16;  and  6:20  and  21. 

Memory  Verse:    Memorize  1  Timothy  4:12. 


l/J  Studies    in    the    Life   of   St.   Paul  XXII  :3 


Study  XXII. — {UttTfl  Lact  Cratoclc,  &cconti  Jmprtfionmcnt, 

anH  iDcatl) 

Third  Day  :     Paul's  First  Epistle  to  Timothy 
(Continued) 

Interesting  details  concerning  the  Church  at  Ephesus — its  troubles 
and  tendencies — are  contained  in  Paul's  letter  to  Timothy.  Especially 
noteworthy  is  St.  Paul's  method  of  dealing  with  certain  vexatious 
questions  that  were  arising. 

i.  Disputes  over  the  lifeless  and  useless  precepts  of  the  Jewish  Law: 
i  Tim.   i  :5-7. 

2.  The  forwardness  of  certain  women  in  the  Church:    i  Tim.  2:9-15. 

3.  Heresies  that  St.  Paul  foresees  as  likely  to  spring  up :    1   Tim. 

4:i-5. 

4.  In  the  eyes  of  the  Gospel  all  men  were  equal ;  how,  then,  were 

Christian  slaves  to  regard  their  masters?     1  Tim.  6:1  and  2. 
5-  The  worldliness  of  certain  rich  Christians:     1  Tim.  6:6-10  and 
17-iQ- 

Lesson  Thought:  When  discouraged  by  the  appearance  of  evils 
in  the  Church  at  the  present  time,  it  is  well  for  one  to  remember 
that  even  in  the  days  of  the  apostles  there  were  troubles  of  the 
same  kind.  Human  nature  is  the  same,  whether  in  the  twentieth 
century  or  the  first  century.  Men  have  the  same  tendency  toward 
sin,  and  need  the  Gospel  just  as  much  now  as  then. 

Prayer  :  "O  Lord,  grant  that  my  heart  may  be  truly  cleansed 
and  filled  with  Thy  Holy  Spirit,  and  that  I  may  arise  to  serve  Thee, 
and  lie  down  to  sleep  in  entire  confidence  in  Thee,  and  submission  to 
Thy  will,  ready  for  life  or  for  death.  Let  me  live  for  this  day,  not 
overcharged  with  worldly  cares,  but  feeling  that  my  treasure  is  not 
here,  and  desiring  truly  to  be  joined  to  Thee  in  Thy  heavenly  king- 
dom, and  to  those  who  have  already  gone  to  Thee.  O  Lord,  save 
me  from  sin,  and  guide  me  with  Thy  Spirit,  and  keep  me  in  faith- 
ful obedience  to  Thee,  through  Jesus  Christ  Thy  Son  our  Lord." 
Amen. 


XXII:4  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  173 

Study  XXII. — JJattPs  Last  Cratoete,  J§>ecan&  imprisonment, 

antf  SDeatl) 

Fourth  Day  :     Paul's  Epistle  to  Titus 

Paul  wrote  his  First  Epistle  to  Timothy  in  Macedonia.  At  the 
time  of  writing  he  hoped  soon  to  visit  Timothy  at  Ephesus.  On 
leaving  Macedonia  Paul  seems  to  have  gone  to  Troas ;  he  may  then 
have  visited  Ephesus.  From  Ephesus  he  went  to  Miletus.  Depart- 
ing from  Miletus  he  went  to  Crete,  where  he  left  Titus  to  take 
charge  of  the  organization  of  the  Cretan  churches.  From  Crete, 
Paul  went  to  Corinth,  and  while  there  wrote  The  Epistle  to  Titus. 

1.  Paul  at  Troas:    2  Tim.  4:13;  at  Ephesus    (?)  :   1  Tim.  3:14;  at 

Miletus:  2  Tim.  4:20;  Crete:  Titus  1:5;  Corinth:  2  Tim.  4:20. 

2.  Titus  was  a  Greek   (Gal.  2:3),  and  was  one  of  Paul's  converts 

(Titus  1:4).  He  accompanied  Paul  to  Jerusalem  to  the  con- 
ference concerning  the  status  of  Gentiles  in  the  Church  (Study 
XI).  Paul  also  entrusted  him  with  important  commissions  to 
the  Corinthian  Church;  he  now  leaves  him  in  charge  of  the 
Church  in  Crete,  and  writes  a  letter  to  him  similar  to  the  letter 
sent  to  Timothy.  Tradition  affirms  that  Titus  was  the  first 
bishop  of  Crete. 

THE    EPISTLE   TO   TITUS 

3.  It  is  uncertain  when  the  Cretan  Church  was  established.    Cretans 

were  in  Jerusalem  on  the  Day  of  Pentecost  (Acts  2:11).  Paul 
may  have  visited  the  island  during  his  sojourn  of  two  years 
at  Corinth.     Mark  Crete  with  a  cross  on  your  map. 

4.  For  what  purpose  was  Titus  left  in  Crete?     Titus  1:5. 

5.  The  Cretans  did  not  have  a  good  reputation : 

(a)  They  were  notorious  for  lying:  See  Titus  1:12.  From 
what  poet  is  this  quotation  taken?  See  page  16.  In  ancient 
times  "  to  Cretize  "  was  to  lie. 

(b)  They  were  unruly  and  talkative:    Titus  1:10  and  II. 

(c)  They  were  guilty  of  impurity:    Titus  1:15  and  16. 

6.  Brief  outline  of  the  contents  of  the  letter : 

(a)  Qualifications  of  Church  officers:     1:5-9. 

(b)  The  conduct  of  Church  members:    2:1-10. 

(c)  Instructions  of  a  general  nature:    3:1-11. 

Lesson  Thought:  In  the  closing  lines  of  this  letter  are  found 
these  words  (verse  14),  "and  let  our  people  also  learn  to  maintain 
good  works  for  necessary  uses,  that  they  be  not  unfruitful."  What 
does  Paul  mean  by  "our  people"?  Do  these  words  apply  to  us  as 
Christians?  In  what  way  to-day  shall  you  maintain  "good  works 
for  necessary  uses"  so  as  to  be  not  unfruitful? 


174  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.   Paul  XXII:5 


Study  XXII— flaunt  Ladt  Crauclfi,  ^ccona  Jmpri0onment, 

ana  SDeatf) 

Fifth  Day  :     Paul's  Arrest  and  Second  Imprisonment 

at  Rome 

After  writing  his  Epistle  to  Titus,  Paul  left  Corinth,  and  went  to 
Nicopolis.     He   was  probably  arrested  there,    and   taken   thence   to 
Rome.      Interesting   glimpses   of   the    apostle    are   contained    in   his 
Second  Epistle  to  Timothy. 
i.  Paul's  movements : 

(a)  He  left  Erastus  at  Corinth:   2  Tim.  4:20. 

(b)  His  intention  of  going  to  Nicopolis:    Titus  3:12. 

(c)  Nicopolis  {city  of  victory),  in  Epirus,  was  founded  by- 
Augustus  in  31  B.C.  to  commemorate  his  victory  at  Actium. 
It  was  a  good  center  for  missionary  work  in  Epirus,  Illyr- 
icum,  and  Dalmatia.  Mark  Nicopolis  with  a  cross  on  your 
outline  map. 

(d)  How  much  time  did  Paul  plan  to  spend  in  Nicopolis? 
Titus  3:12. 

2.  The  cause  of  Paul's  arrest: 

(a)  It  was  now  the  year  67  a.d.  Three  years  before  this  time 
Rome  had  been  burned,  and  the  Christians  avere  accused 
of  having  set  it  on  fire.  At  once  a  most  cruel  persecution 
broke  out  against  them. 

(b)  So  prominent  a  Christian  leader  as  Paul  was  a  great  prize 
for  capture.  Probably  some  Roman  officer,  wishing  to 
please  the  Emperor,  seized  Paul  and  sent  him  to  Rome. 

3.  The  character  of  Paul's  second  imprisonment : 

(a)  Owing  to  persecution,  the  Christians  of  Rome  had  been 
killed  or  driven  into  hiding.  Paul  no  longer  had  their 
presence  and  help. 

(b)  Paul  was  in  need  of  help  and  sympathy.  Who  "re- 
freshed" him  at  this  time?    2  Tim.  1:16-18. 

(c)  His  friends  were  absent  or  else  had  forsaken  him :  2  Tim. 
4:10. 

(d)  Who  alone  was  with  him?    2  Tim.  4:11  (first  clause). 

(e)  No  longer  in  his  own  hired  house,  he  sends  a  thousand 
miles  for  his  cloak  and  his  books:    2  Tim.  4:13. 

Paul's  Confidence:  Was  Paul  discouraged,  and  did  he  lose  con- 
fidence in  the  Lord?  Read  2  Tim.  1:8-12,  dwelling  with  particular 
thought  upon  verse  12. 


XXII  :6  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  175 

Study  XXII. — JJattrs  Last  Cratoete,  ^crnifc  imprisonment, 

anto  £>eatl) 

Sixth  Day:     Paul's   Second  Epistle  to  Timothy 

Paul's  life  was  now  drawing  to  a  close.  He  was  in  prison,  an- 
ticipating a  speedy  sentence  of  death.  Longing  for  Timothy,  he 
writes  urging  him  to  come  to  Rome.  This  letter,  known  as  The 
Second  Epistle  to  Timothy,  is  a  precious  possession:  it  gives  us 
glimpses  of  Paul's  final  imprisonment  (studied  yesterday)  ;  it  re- 
veals Paul's  affection  for  Timothy ;  it  contains  much  useful  advice 
and  exhortation ;  and,  lastly,  it  preserves  what  are  practically 
the  last  words  of  the  apostle. 

1.  Where  had  Timothy  been  left  by  Paul,  and  for  what  purpose? 

2.  Paul's  longing  for  Timothy :    2  Tim.  1  '.4. 

3.  Who  alone  was  with  Paul  at  this  time? 

4.  Paul  urges  Timothy  to  come  to  him:    2  Tim.  4:9  and  II. 

5.  Why  does  Paul  say  in  2  Tim.  4:11  that  Mark  is  "profitable  for 

the  ministry"?     See  Acts   15:37  and  38.     Does  it  not  appear 
that  Paul  was  anxious  to  commend  and  reinstate  Mark? 

6.  Paul  evidently  fears  that  Timothy  may  not  be  able  to  reach  Rome 

in  time  to  see  him  before  his  execution ;  he  gives  final  advice 
and  instruction  to  Timothy: 

(a)  He  must  be  true  to  his  teaching:     2  Tim.   1:13,  14,  and 

3:i4-i7. 

(b)  Like  a  soldier,  he  must  attend  strictly  to  his  duties ;  like 
an  athlete  in  the  games,  he  must  contend  lawfully :  2 
Tim.  2:1-5. 

(c)  He  must  be  pure  and  gentle :    2  Tim.  2 :22-25. 

7.  Paul  warns  Timothy  of  certain  dangers  within  the  Church: 

(a)  The  wickedness  of  evil  men:    2  Tim.  3:1-5. 

(b)  The  danger  of  false  doctrine:    2  Tim.  4:1-4. 

Memory  Verses:  Memorize  2  Tim.  3:16  and  17 — verses  which 
are  particularly  applicable  to  this  last  Epistle  of  St.   Paul. 


176  Studies    in    the    Life   of  St.   Paul  XXII 7 

Study  XXI  I. — Paul's  Unfit  Cranclfi,  S»cconH  JJmprtfionment, 

anto  5)catj) 
Seventh   Day:     The  Death  of  St.   Paul 

Tradition  asserts  that  Paul  was  beheaded  at  Rome  outside  the 
city  walls  at  a  point  on  the  road  to  Ostia.  The  year  of  his  death 
may  be  given  as  65  a.d.,  toward  the  end  of  the  reign  of  Nero. 

1.  At  the  first  trial  or  hearing,  Paul  seems  to  have  had  no  one  to 

support  him ;  he  prayed  for  those  who  deserted  him :    2  Tim. 
4:16. 

2.  How  did  Paul  evidently  make  use  of  the  opportunity  of  speaking 

that  was  given  him  at  the  trial?     2  Tim.  4:17. 

3.  What  does  he  mean  in  2  Tim.  4:17   (end  of  the  verse)   by  the 

words,   "I  was  delivered  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  lion"? 

4.  What  was  Paul's  hope  and  confidence?    2  Tim.  4:18. 

5.  The  second  (and  last)  trial  probably  took  place  shortly  after  the 

first.    This  time  Paul's  accusers  succeeded  in  securing  his  con- 
demnation. 
C.  Paul's  last  words:    Three  verses  of  Second  Timothy  may  be  re- 
garded in  content  and  in  spirit  as  practically  Paul's  last  words : 
Read  2  Tim.  4:6-8. 

"The  trial  ended,  Paul  was  condemned  and  delivered  over  to  the 
executioner.  He  was  led  out  of  the  city  with  a  crowd  of  the  lowest 
rabble  at  his  heels.  The  fatal  spot  was  reached:  he  knelt  beside 
the  block ;  the  headsman's  axe  gleamed  in  the  sun  and  fell ;  and 
the  head  of  the  apostle  of  the  world  rolled  in  the  dust.     .     .     . 

"Yet  Paul  lives  among  us  to-day  with  a  life  a  hundredfold  more 
influential  than  that  which  throbbed  in  his  brain  while  the  earthly 
hull  which  made  him  visible  still  lingered  on  earth.  Wherever  the 
feet  of  them  who  publish  the  glad  tidings  go  forth  beautiful  upon 
the  mountains,  he  walks  by  their  side  as  an  inspirer  and  a  guide ; 
in  ten  thousand  churches  every  Sabbath,  and  on  a  thousand  hearths 
every  day,  his  eloquent  lips  still  teach  that  gospel  of  which  he  was 
never  ashamed ;  and  wherever  there  are  human  souls  searching  for 
the  white  flower  of  holiness,  or  climbing  the  difficult  height  of  self- 
denial,  there  he  whose  life  was  so  pure,  whose  devotion  to  Christ 
was  so  entire,  and  whose  pursuit  of  a  single  purpose  was  so  un- 
ceasing, is  welcomed  as  the  best  of  friends." — Stalker. 


PART  IX 
The  Personality  and  Service  of  Paul 

Study  XXIII. — Personal  Characteristics  of  St.   Paul 
Study  XXIV. — Paul's  Services  to  the  World 


XXIII  :i  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  179 

Study  XXIII. — pergonal  Characteristics  of  §bt.  JJattl 

First  Day:     Paul's  Personal  Appearance 

Testimony  regarding  the  personal  appearance  of  St.  Paul  is  ex- 
tremely scanty.  Only  two  passages  in  the  New  Testament  yield  any 
information  on  this  point,  and  both  of  them  are  tantalizing  in  their 
brevity.  In  the  works  of  later  writers,  however,  from  the  third  to 
the  fifteenth  century  a.d.,  are  found  certain  traditional  accounts  of 
the  appearance  of  the  apostle.  Though  these  accounts  are  too  late 
to  be  entirely  trustworthy,  nevertheless  they  agree  in  certain  im- 
portant respects. 

1.  Read  Acts  14:11  and  12.    In  your  previous  study  of  these  verses 

to  what  conclusion  did  you  come  regarding  the  stature  and 
appearance  of  Paul?     See  also  page  76,  section  4. 

2.  In  his   Second  Epistle  to    the   Corinthians,    Paul   quotes   certain 

criticisms  which  his  enemies  had  made  about  his  speech  and 
presence:    See  2  Cor.  10:10. 

3.  In  a  romance  of  the  third  century  entitled  The  Acts  of  Paul  and 

Thekla,  Paul  is  described  as  "short,  with  meeting  eyebrows, 
hook-nosed,  full  of  grace." 

4.  John  of  Antioch  (sixth  century)  says  that  "Paul  was,  in  person, 

round-shouldered,  with  a  sprinkling  of  gray  on  his  head  and 
beard,  with  an  aquiline  nose,  grayish  eyes,  meeting  eyebrows, 
with  a  mixture  of  pale  and  red  in  his  complexion,  and  an  ample 
beard.  With  a  genial  expression  of  countenance,  he  was  sensi- 
ble, earnest,  easily  accessible,  sweet  and  inspired  with  the 
Holy  Spirit." 

5.  Nicephorus   (fifteenth  century)   writes  that  "Paul  was  short  and 

dwarfish  in  stature,  and,  as  it  were,  crooked  in  person  and 
slightly  bent.  His  face  was  pale,  his  aspect  winning.  He  was 
baldheaded,  and  his  eyes  were  bright.  His  nose  was  prominent 
and  aquiline,  his  beard  thick  and  tolerably  long,  and  both  this 
and  his  head  were  sprinkled  with  white  hairs." 

6.  Read  again  carefully  the  testimony  of  the  writers  given  above 

in  sections  3  to  5,  noticing  particularly  their  points  of  agree- 
ment.    Let  your  imagination  create  a  picture  of  the  apostle. 

The  Beauty  of  Holiness  :  The  scattered  fragments  of  ancient 
testimony  agree  in  stating  that  Paul  had  a  pleasant  and  winning 
expression  of  countenance.  Paul  was  reflecting  Christ:  "But  we  all, 
with  unveiled  face,  reflecting,  as  a  mirror,  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  are 
transformed  into  the  same  image  from  glory  to  glory." — Second 
Corinthians  3:18  (R.V.). 


i8o  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul         XXIIIa 

Study  XXIII. — {pergonal  Cljaractcrifitics  of  ftt  Jhtrt 
Second  Day:     Paul's  "Thorn  in  the  Flesh" 

Paul  was  troubled  with  a  certain  infirmity  or  weakness  of  body, 
which  he  calls  his  "thorn  in  the  flesh."  This  may  have  had  some 
influence  upon  his  personal  appearance  and  bearing. 

1.  Read  2  Corinthians  12:1-10. 

2.  According  to  Paul's  own  statement,  why  was  the  "thorn  in  the 

flesh"  given  to  him? 

3.  Why  does   Paul  glory  in   this  weakness? 

4.  Paul  seems  to  have  had  an  attack  of  this  mysterious  malady  on 

the  occasion  of  his  first  visit  among  the  Galatians :  See  Gala- 
tians  4:13  and  14. 

5.  It  is  impossible  to  determine  what  Paul's  thorn  in  the  flesh  really 

was.  It  was  a  weakness  of  body  that  afflicted  him  from  time  to 
time ;  it  was  extremely  painful ;  it  humiliated  him,  and  made 
him  an  object  of  contempt;  and  in  its  workings  it  was  mys- 
terious and  apparently  of  diabolical  origin  (2  Cor.  12:7). 
Scholars  have  proposed  various  theories  regarding  Paul's  weak- 
ness :  some  think  he  was  troubled  with  acute  ophthalmia — an 
inflammation  of  the  eyes — and  cite  Gal.  4:15  as  evidence;  others 
suggest  certain  forms  of  hysteria  or  epilepsy;  a  recent  view  is 
that  he  was  subject  to  malarial  fever.  Perhaps  the  most  satis- 
factory theory  is  the  suggestion  that  he  had  epileptic  seizures. 
His  thorn  in  the  flesh  afflicted  him  directly  after  his  ecstatic 
vision  (2  Cor.  12:1-6),  and  may  have  been  due  to  an  over- 
wrought condition  of  his  nervous  system.  For  slight  additional 
evidence  see  2  Cor.  5:13  and  Acts  26:24. 

6.  Notwithstanding  this   peculiar   ailment   which   distressed   him  at 

times,  Paul  must  have  had  a  vigorous  constitution.  If  he  had 
not,  he  never  could  have  endured  the  many  hardships  and 
trials  that  fell  to  his  lot  as  he  preached  the  Gospel  throughout 
the  heathen  world. 

Memory  Verse  :    Memorize  2  Cor.  12  :g. 


XXIII  :3         Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  181 

Study  XXIII. — J)erc;atial  Characteristics  of  &t  Jhttl 

Thipd  Day:     Paul  a  Man  of  Courage,  Activity,  and 

Enthusiasm 

Paul  was  a  man  of  courage,  activity,  and  enthusiasm.  Not  only 
was  he  courageous  in  the  face  of  danger,  but  also  he  dared  to  main- 
tain an  unpopular  cause  in  the  presence  of  those  whom  men  would 
naturally  wish  to  conciliate ;  he  displayed  great  activity  in  his  preach- 
ing and  teaching,  and  showed  the  highest  enthusiasm  in  all  his  work. 

1.  Paul's  Courage: 

(a)  What  incident  showed  Paul's  courage  at  Ephesus?  See 
Acts  19 :29  and  30. 

(b)  Read  the  catalogue  of  some  of  the  hardships,  perils,  and 
sufferings  which  Paul  experienced:    2  Cor.   11:23-27. 

(c)  Paul's  courage  of  conviction:  Gal.  2:11-14.  Why  did  it 
take  especial  courage  to  criticise  Peter? 

2.  Paul's  Activity: 

(a)  The  record  of  Paul's  missionary  journeys,  filled  with  in- 
cessant toils  and  labors,  testifies  abundantly  to  the  activity 
of  the  apostle. 

(b)  The  keen  physical  activity  of  the  Greek  athletic  games 
interested  him  greatly;  he  often  likens  himself  to  a  con- 
testant:  Gal.  2:2;  1  Cor.  9:26  and  27;  2  Tim.  4:7  and  8. 

3.  Paul's  Enthusiasm: 

(a)  Paul's  enthusiasm  is  most  plainly  seen  in  his  letters.  In 
his  eagerness  and  earnestness  he  is  at  times  almost  inco- 
herent ;  the  line  of  thought  is  not  always  easy  to  follow ; 
there  are  abrupt  transitions  and  puzzling  omissions. 

(b)  Paul,  as  he  writes,  is  at  times  swept  off  his  feet,  so  to 
■speak,  by  a  rush  of  feeling.     On  such  occasions  he  bursts 

out  in  a  doxology  or  in  pious  ejaculations  in  the  praise  of 
God:    See  Romans  11:33-36. 

(c)  Paul  seems  at  times,  at  least,  to  have  spoken  rapidly  and 
with  great  feeling:    Acts  26:24,  and  2  Cor.  5:13. 

Prayer  :  "Give  us  courage,  Lord,  to  do  always  that  which  is 
pleasing  to  Thee;  grant  that  we  may  be  diligent  and  active  in  Thy 
service,  running  with  patience  the  race  that  is  set  before  us ;  and 
fill  us  with  joy  and  enthusiasm  that  we  may  labor  heartily  and 
cheerfully  in  spreading  Thy  kingdom  in  the  hearts  of  men." — Amen. 


Studies   in   the  Life  of  St.   Paul  XXIII  -.4 


Study  XXIII. — personal  Characteristics  of  §>t.  Paul 

Fourth  Day  :     Paul  a  Happy  Man 

Paul,  in  spite  of  his  thorn  in  the  flesh,  and  in  spite  of  his  exces- 
sive labor  and  suffering  for  the  Gospel,  was  a  happy  man.  Not 
only  was  he  happy  himself,  but  he  also  wished  others  to  be  happy. 

1.  Paul's  Epistles  abound  in  verses  in  which  his  happiness  is  openly 

expressed : 

(a)  Paul's  converts  were  a  source  of  great  happiness  to  him: 
See  1  Thess.  2:19  and  20;  2  Cor.  7:7,  9,  and  16;  Philippians 
1 :4;  2:2,  16  and  17;  4:1. 

(b)  Another  source  of  happiness  was  the  spread  of  the  Gospel : 
See  Philippians  1:18. 

(c)  Even  his  sufferings  for  the  sake  of  the  Gospel  were  a 
source  of  joy  to  him:  2  Cor.  7:4;  12:10;  and  Colossians 
1 :24. 

2.  Paul  wished  his  converts  to  be  happy:    See  1  Thess.  5:16;  and 

Philippians  4:4. 

3.  The  real  secret  of  Paul's  happiness  was  the  abiding  presence  of 

the  Holy  Spirit ;  this  happiness  was  always  his,  and  was  in- 
dependent of  external  conditions ;  hence,  even  when  troubled  on 
every  side,  his  well-spring  of  joy  never  failed: 

(a)  The  presence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  a  source  of  joy:  See  1 
Thess.  1:6;  Romans  14:17. 

(b)  The  Holy  Spirit  is  a  source  of  peace  and  joy  because  it 
makes  men  feel  the  love  of  God:    Romans  5:1-5. 

The  Love  of  God  :  Paul  was  secure  in  the  possession  of  his 
happiness  that  came  from  the  love  of  God.  Let  him  speak  for  him- 
self: "I  am  persuaded  that  neither  death,  nor  life,  nor  angels,  nor 
principalities,  nor  powers,  nor  things  present,  nor  things  to  come, 
nor  height,  nor  depth,  nor  any  other  creature,  shall  be  able  to 
separate  us  from  the  love  of  God,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our 
Lord." — Epistle  to  the  Romans  8:38  and  39. 


XXIII  :5  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  183 

Study  XXIIL— personal  Characteristics  of  Bt  J)attl 

Fifth  Day:     Paul  a  Man  Who  Loved  Men 

Paul  was  successful  in  his  labors  among  men  because  he  loved 
them.  He  was  a  man  of  friendships :  he  loved  his  friends,  and  they 
returned  his  affection.  Because  he  loved  men,  he  avoided  saying 
and  doing  those  things  which  would  unnecessarily  offend  or  wound 
them,  hence  he  was  a  man  of  tact,  courtesy,  and  adaptability. 

1.  Paul  speaks  of  his  friends  with  the  greatest  affection ;  he  never 

traveled  alone,  but  always  had  one  or  more  of  his  friends  with 
him. 

(a)  Among  the  many  friends  of  Paul  mentioned  in  Acts  and 
in  the  Epistles,  two  deserve  special  notice :  Luke  and 
Timothy.  Both  traveled  with  him,  and  both  were  with  him 
when  in  prison. 

(b)  Luke:  In  what  way  does  Paul  speak  of  Luke  in  Col.  4:14? 
Where  was  Paul  when  he  wrote  Colossians  ? 

(c)  Timothy :  Paul's  affection  for  Timothy  is  clearly  expressed 
in  2  Tim.  1:2-4.    See  also  1  Cor.  4:17. 

2.  Paul's   friends   and   converts   returned   his   affection:     See   Acts 

20:36-38;  21  '.4  and  5.  Luke's  affection  for  Paul  may  be  learned 
from  2  Tim.  4:11  (first  sentence).  Where  was  Paul  when  he 
wrote  Second  Timothy?  What  were  the  circumstances  under 
which  it  was  written? 

3.  Paul's  tact:    The  apostle  was  tactful  in  approaching  and  dealing 

with  men : 

(a)  How  was  this  quality  shown  in  the  opening  words  of  his 
address  at  Athens,  Acts  17:22-24?    See  page  103,  section  8. 

(b)  How  was  it  shown  also  in  his  address  before  Felix,  Acts 
24:10?    In  his  address  before  Agrippa,  Acts  26:1-3? 

(c)  Paul's  Epistle  to  Philemon  is  a  most  tactful  letter.  What 
were  the  circumstances  under  which  it  was  written? 

4.  Paul's  adaptability:    Paul's  love  for  humanity  and  his  ready  sym- 

pathy enabled  him  to  adapt  himself  to  all  sorts  and  conditions 

of  men:  See  1  Cor.  9:19-23. 
Love  "the  Greatest  Thing  in  the  World"  :  In  the  thirteenth 
chapter  of  First  Corinthians  Paul  writes  on  "Love."  Henry  Drum- 
mond  tells  of  a  man  who  read  this  chapter  once  a  week  for  three 
months,  and  it  changed  his  life.  Read  this  chapter  and  then  read 
at  your  earliest  opportunity  Drummond's  essay  on  it  entitled :  The 
Greatest  Thing  in  the  World. 


[84  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.   Paul         XXIII :6 

Study  XX III.— Pergonal  Characteristics  of  &t.  Paul 
Sixth  Day  :     Paul  a  Man  of  Prayer 

Paul  was  a  man  of  prayer.  He  prayed  earnestly  for  his  converts, 
and  asked  them  to  pray  for  him.  In  his  Epistles  he  gave  many 
directions  concerning  prayer.  From  one  sublime  prayer  preserved 
in  The  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians  it  is  possible  to  learn  about  the 
character  of  Paul's  prayers. 

i.  Luke,  in  the  book  of  Acts,  mentions  several  occasions  when  Paul 
had  recourse  to  prayer:  At  Philippi,  Acts  16:25;  at  Miletus, 
20:36;  at  Tyre,  21:5;  at  Jerusalem,  22:17;  on  the  island  of 
Melita,  28:8. 

2.  Paul  prayed  for  his  converts  and  for  the  churches  to  which  they 

belonged : 

(a)  The  Thessalonians :    1  Thess.  1:2;  2  Thess.  1:11. 

(b)  The  Corinthians:    2  Cor.  13:7. 

(c)  The  Romans:    Rom.  1  :g  and  10. 

(d)  The  Philippians:   Phil.  1:3  and  4. 

(e)  The  Colossians :    Col.  1:3  and  9. 

(f)  The  Ephesians:    Eph.  1:16. 

(g)  Philemon:    Philem.  4. 
(h)  Timothy:   2  Tim.  1:3. 

3.  Paul  asked  his  converts  to  pray  for  him : 

(a)  2  Thess.  3:1;   Philippians   1:19;   Ephesians  6:18  and   19; 
Col.  4 :3  and  4. 

(b)  For  what  end  does  Paul  request  these  prayers? 

4.  He  gave,  also,  certain  directions  concerning  prayer.     See  1  Thess. 

5:17;  1  Tim.  2:1,  2,  and  8;  Philippians  4:6. 

5.  Paul's  sublime  prayer:    Read  Ephesians  3:14-21. 

Thought  for  To-day  :  Paul  gave  much  time  to  earnest  prayer. 
Do  you  pray  every  day,  or  do  you  sometimes  forget  to  talk  with 
God?  Do  you  pray  only  at  night,  just  before  you  go  to  bed,  when 
you  are  often  too  tired  to  know  clearly  what  you  are  saying?  Do  you 
pray  for  others,  as  Paul  did,  or  do  you  pray  only  for  yourself? 
Will  you  not  resolve  to  be  more  thoughtful  and  earnest  in  your 
prayers  ? 


XXIII 7  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paid  185 

Study  XXIII. — pergonal  Characteristics  of  £>t»  |)attl 

Seventh  Day  :     Paul's  Devotion  to  Christ 

"Paul's  personal  devotion  to  Christ  was  the  supreme  characteristic 
of  the  man,  and  from  first  to  last  the  mainspring  of  his  activities. 
From  the  moment  of  his  first  meeting  with  Christ  he  had  but  one 
passion ;  his  love  for  his  Saviour  burned  with  more  and  more  bright- 
ness to  the  end.  He  delighted  to  call  himself  the  slave  of  Christ, 
and  had  no  ambition  except  to  be  the  propagator  of  His  ideas  and 
the  continuer  of  His  influence." — Stalker. 

1.  In  the  first  verse  of  three  of  his  Epistles,   Paul  calls  himself  a 

"servant  of  Jesus  Christ"  (Romans,  Philippians,  and  Titus). 
The  word  rendered  here  as  servant  means,  rather,  slave ;  and, 
moreover,  one  who  is  a  slave  by  birth.     See  also  Acts  27 123. 

2.  His  one  aim  was  to  spread  the  Gospel  of  Christ :    1  Cor.  2 :2  and 

9:16;  Philippians  1:14-18. 

3.  He  earnestly  desired  that  Christ  should  be  magnified  in  his  body: 

Philippians  1 :20. 

4.  He   says   that  he   was  continuing  the  work   of   Christ   and   was 

filling  up  what  was  lacking  in  His  sufferings :     Col.  1 124. 

5.  He  bore  the  marks  of  the  Lord  Jesus  in  his  body:     Gal.  6:17. 

6.  Christ  was  his  life :     Philippians  1 :2i-23. 

"Paul  had  the  sense  that  Christ  had  done  everything  for  him ; 
He  had  entered  into  him,  casting  out  the  old  Paul  and  ending  the 
old  life,  and  had  begotten  a  new  man,  with  new  designs,  feelings, 
and  activities.  And  it  was  his  deepest  longing  that  this  process 
should  go  on  and  become  complete — that  his  old  self  should  vanish 
quite  away,  and  that  the  new  self,  which  Christ  had  created  in  His 
own  image,  and  still  sustained,  should  become  so  predominant  that, 
when  the  thoughts  of  his  mind  were  Christ's  thoughts,  the  words 
on  his  lips  Christ's  words,  the  deeds  he  did  Christ's  deeds,  and  the 
character  he  wore  Christ's  character,  he  might  be  able  to  say,  'I 
live;  yet  not  I,  but  Christ  liveth  in  me.'  " — Stalker. 


[86  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul         xxiv-.i 

Study  XXIV.— Paul's  Vertices  to  t\)t  Woviti 
First  Day:     Paul  a  World-Missionary 

In  summing  up  the  services  of  St.  Paul,  it  is  first  of  all  necessary 
to  note  that  he  preached  the  Gospel  to  practically  the  whole  world 
of  his  day. 

i.  The  world,  in  St.  Paul's  time,  was  very  much  smaller  than  it  is 
to-day.  It  comprised  chiefly  those  lands  that  were  under 
Roman   rule — the  lands  bordering  on  the   Mediterranean. 

2.  What  was  Paul's  commission  as  a  world-missionary?     See  Acts 

9:i5- 

3.  It   was    Paul's  practice,   in   spreading  the    Gospel,   to   go  to  the 

capital,  or  most  important  city,  of  each  province  of  the  Roman 
Empire,  and  from  that  center  to  labor  in  the  surrounding 
region.  What  important  city  was  the  headquarters  of  his  work 
in  Syria?  In  the  Roman  province  of  Asia?  In  Macedonia? 
In  Achaia? 

4.  Paul's  work  was  done  thoroughly : 

(a)  What  does  Luke  say  of  his  work  in  the  province  of  Asia? 
Acts  19:20  and  26. 

(b)  Before  Paul  was  taken  to  Rome  he  had  preached  the 
Gospel  in  all  the  lands  of  the  Eastern  Mediterranean :  Ro- 
mans 15  :i9  and  23. 

(c)  While  a  prisoner  at  Rome,  he  made  converts  in  the  house- 
hold of  Caesar  and  in  the  Praetorian  guard :  Philippians 
4:22  and  1:12-14   (R.V.). 

(d)  Paul's  plan  for  the  evangelizing  of  the  world  took  in 
Spain  :  See  Romans  15  :24.  Certain  early  Christian  writers 
affirm  that  he  preached  and  labored  there:  See  page  170, 
section  2. 

5.  Yet  Paul  did  not  preach  in  all  parts  of  the  Roman  Empire.    There 

is  no  evidence  in  the  New  Testament  to  show  that  he  visited 
Britain,  Gaul,  or  Egypt.  The  Roman  conquest  of  Britain  did 
not  really  begin  until  43  a.d.,  hence  in  Paul's  time  the  Britons 
were  still  uncivilized;  on  the  other  hand,  Gaul  was  being 
rapidly  Romanized,  and  Egypt  was  a  seat  of  culture.  What 
reason  does  Paul  give  for  not  preaching  in  certain  regions? 
See  Romans  15  :20. 
Lesson  Thought:  Paul,  in  his  life-work,  fulfilled  literally  the 
promise  and  prophecy  made  by  Christ  on  Ascension  Day :    Acts  1 :8. 


XXIV  :2  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  187 

Study  XXIV.— flaul'a  ^etbtces  to  tlje  g>orto 

Second  Day:     Paul  the  Interpreter  of  Christianity 

The  world  of  St.  Paul's  time  was  the  Roman  Empire.  It  was 
dominated,  however,  by  the  Greek  language  and  by  Greek  habits 
of  thought.  Though  the  Romans  had  conquered  Greece,  yet  Greek 
art,  literature,  and  philosophy  mastered  the  Romans.  The  Greek 
mind  was  quick,  alert,  eager,  and  questioning.  To  the  world  of 
his  day,  permeated  with  Greek  thought,  Paul  interpreted  the  life, 
death,  and  teachings  of  Christ. 

1.  Alexander  the  Great,  before  his  death,  in  323  B.C.,  had  conquered 

the  world.  He  wished  to  make  the  world  a  Greek  world,  con- 
sequently he  planted  colonies  throughout  his  vast  empire,  and 
encouraged  the  spread  of  the  Greek  language  and  culture.  So 
thoroughly  was  the  work  done  that  even  after  his  empire  had 
passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Romans  it  kept  its  character  as 
a  Greek  Empire;  the  Greek  language  became  well-nigh  a  uni- 
versal language. 

2.  The   Greek  philosophers   had   groped   after   God.     But   with  all 

their  wisdom  they  had  failed  to  find  Him.  They  were  dis- 
satisfied with  paganism,  and  longed  for  a  purer  and  better 
religion  that  should  uplift  and  ennoble  them. 

3.  While  the   world   was  waiting   for  a  deliverer,  Jesus   was  born 

in  the  obscure  province  of  Judea.  His  public  ministry  lasted 
three  years,  27-30  a.d.  He  was  a  Jew,  and  His  teachings  were 
given  in  that  form  which  was  most  expressive  to  Jews.  Who 
was  to  interpret  His  life,  death,  and  resurrection  to  the  Gentile 
world?  Who  was  to  explain  the  philosophy  of  the  plan  of 
salvation  to  a  world  well  trained  in  argument,  discussion,  and 
debate  ? 

4.  How  was  Paul  especially  fitted  by  birth  and  training  to  preach  to 

the  Greek  world? 

5.  What  does  Paul  himself  say  of  the  Greek  mind  ?     1  Cor.  1 :22. 

6.  Paul   taught  that  the   Gospel   was   a  higher  form   of  knowledge 

than  the  philosophic  wisdom  of  the  Greeks:  1  Cor.  1:17-24. 
Thought  for  To-day:  In  preaching  and  writing  to  the  Greek 
world,  Paul  was  preaching  and  writing  to  us,  for  our  methods  of 
thought  and  point  of  view  are  essentially  those  of  the  Greeks.  "  We  are 
all  Greeks.  Our  law,  our  literature,  our  religion,  our  art,  have  their 
roots  in  Greece." — Shelley. 


iss  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul         XXIV 13 

Study  XX I  \\— Paul's  ^crbtcrs  to  the  Wovtii 
Third  Day:     Paul's  Successful  Combat  with  Judaism 

In  his  work  of  spreading  the  Gospel  about  the  Roman  Empire, 
and  in  adapting  its  teachings  to  Greek  methods  of  thought,  Paul 
met  his  greatest  opposition  among  the  Jews.  Moreover,  the  most 
dangerous  opposition  was  not  that  of  the  unbelieving  Jews,  but 
that  of  the  Jewish  party  within  the  Church,  which  tried  to  impose 
the  Mosaic  Law  on  all  Gentile  converts.  That  Christianity  did 
not  become  a  sect  of  Judaism  is  due  to  the  vigorous  work  of  St. 
Paul. 

1.  God  chose  the  Jewish  nation  for  training  in  religion  ;  He  revealed 

Himself  to  the  patriarchs;  He  gave  laws  to  Moses;  and  He 
spoke  through  the  prophets.  The  religious  teachers  of  the 
Jews  added  to  the  Laws  of  Moses  (the  Written  Law)  a  mass 
of  minute  and  intricate  rules  (the  Oral  Law),  and  imposed 
the  whole  on  the  Jewish  people — "a  yoke,"  said  Peter,  "which 
neither  our  fathers  nor  we  were  able  to  bear." 

2.  The  Judaizing  party  within  the  Church  tried  to  force  the  Law 

upon  the  Gentiles :  For  two  references,  selected  from  many, 
see  Acts   15:1   and  Galatians  3:1-3. 

3.  What   charges   did   this  party   bring  against   Paul?     Acts   21:20 

and  21. 

4.  What  did  Paul  consider  to  have  been  the  true  work  of  the  Law? 

Galatians  3:23-28. 

5.  In  nearly  every  one  of  his  Epistles,  Paul  touched  on  the  question 

of  the  relation  of  the  Gentiles  to  the  Law.  He  was  pre- 
eminently the  apostle  of  the  Gentiles  and  the  champion  of 
Gentile  freedom.  His  arguments  against  the  Judaizing  party 
are  most  fully  stated  in  Galatians  and  Romans. 

6.  Paul   was  beheaded   in  65   a.d.     In  70  a.d.,   Titus  captured  and 

destroyed  Jerusalem.  Judaism  no  longer  had  a  center  for  the 
national  worship,  nor  could  it  answer  the  keen  arguments  of 
Paul.  The  apostle  had  won,  and  had  established  the  truth  of 
the  equality  of  all  men  in  the  eyes  of  the  Gospel :  "Where 
there  is  neither  Greek  nor  Jew,  circumcision  nor  uncircumcision, 
Barbarian,  Scythian,  bond  nor  free :  but  Christ  is  all,  and  in  all" 
(Col.  3:11). 


XXIV  :4  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  189 

Study  XXIV.— JJattl's  Vertices  ta  tlje  ^orft 
Fourth  Day  :     Paul  the  Organizer  of  the  Church 

Before  his  death,  Paul  foresaw  that  the  Christian  Church  was 
in  need  of  thorough  organization  to  do  its  great  work  in  the  world, 
and  to  withstand  the  troubles  that  would  assail  from  within  and 
without.  His  last  letters  are  filled  with  directions  for  Church  organi- 
zation, government,  and  worship. 

1.  What  were  some  of  the  evils  that   Paul  foresaw?     See  1   Tim. 

4:i-3. 

2.  Read  also  2  Tim.  3:1-7. 

3.  Church  organization  and  government: 

(a)  Qualifications  of  a  bishop,  or  overseer:     1  Tim.  3:1-7. 

(b)  The  position  and  dignity  of  elders:  1  Tim.  5:17-19.  Read 
also  Titus  1 :5-9,  and  note  that  in  those  early  days  bishop 
and  elder  were  synonymous  terms. 

(c)  Qualifications  of  a  deacon:    1  Tim.  3:8-13. 

4.  Church  worship : 

(a)  The  use  of  psalms  and  hymns:    Colossians  3:16. 

(b)  Prayer:     1  Tim.  2:1-3,  8. 

(c)  The  Lord's  Supper:     1  Cor.  11:23-34. 

(d)  Paul  would  have  Church  worship  "edifying";  that  is,  it 
should  build  up  those  taking  part.  He  would  have  all  things 
done  "decently  and  in  order."     See  1  Cor.  14:26  and  40. 

Lesson  Thought:  Paul  knew  that  there  was  much  work  to  be 
done  within  the  Christian  Church — work  requiring  varied  talents  and 
endowments.  Read  Ephesians  4:11-13,  and  ask  yourself  what  part 
you  are  willing  to  take  in  the  "edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ" ;  that 
is,  in  building  up  His  Church. 


tqo  Studies  in   the    Life  of  St.   Paul  XXIV :$ 

Study  XX  I  \ '.     Paul's  Vertices  to  t\)t  Woviti 
Fifth  Day:    Paul's  Epistles  a  Priceless  Legacy 

In  the  Epistles  of  Paul,  the  Christian  world  has  a  priceless  legacy. 
Next  to  the  four  Gospels,  the  Epistles  of  St.  Paul  are  the  most 
important  documents  of  the  Christian  Church.  They  expand  and 
unfold  the  teaching  of  Christ;  they  contain  verses  and  chapters 
that  for  centuries  have  been  a  help  and  comfort  to  Christians  of 
all  lands;  and  they  reveal  to  us  all  the  power,  enthusiasm,  love, 
and  sympathy  of  the  great  apostle  himself. 

i.  Even   Paul's   enemies   admitted  that  his   letters   were   powerful : 
See  2  Cor.   10:10. 

2.  Certain  portions  of  Paul's  letters  are  hard  to  understand.     What 

did  Peter  say  about  their  difficulty?     2  Peter  3:15. 

3.  The  following  table,  taken,  with  a  few     hanges,   from   Stalker's 

Life  of  St.   Paul,    gives    the    chronological    order    of    Paul's 
Epistles  and  the  leading  characteristic  of  each : 


Epistle 

Characteristic 

1  and  2  Thessalonians 

Galatians 

1  Corinthians 

2  Corinthians 
Romans 
Philippians 
Colossians 
Philemon 
Ephesians 

1  Timothy,  and  Titus 

2  Timothy 

Simple  beginnings.     Attitude  toward 

Christ's  Second  Coming 
Vehement  argument  against  Judaizers 
Picture  of  an  apostle  church 
Paul's  portrait  of  himself 
Paul's  gospel 

Picture  of  Roman  imprisonment 
Paul's  later  gospel 
Example  of  Christian  courtesy 
Paul's  later  gospel 
Form  of  the  church 
The  last  scenes 

4.  Study  this  table  carefully,  and  fix  in  mind  the  chronological  order 

and  characteristics  of  Paul's  letters.  His  writings  should  always 
be  read  in  their  chronological  order,  for  he  was  ever  "getting 
deeper  and  deeper  in  his  subject." 

5.  The  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews  has  been  omitted  from  the  table,  be- 

cause it  was  probably  not  written  by  Paul. 

Paul's  Portrait:  "Paul  is  constantly  visible  in  his  letters.  You 
can  feel  his  heart  throbbing  in  every  chapter  he  ever  wrote.  He 
has  painted  his  own  portrait — not  only  that  of  the  outward  man, 
but  his  innermost  feelings — as  no  one  else  could  have  painted  it." — 
Stalker. 


XXIV  :6  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul  191 

Study  XXIV.— tyzuV*  Vertices  to  t|)e  WaxVH 

Sixth   Day:     Review  of   Study  XXIII 

To-day's  lesson  is  a  review  of  Study  XXIII,  The  Personal  Char- 
acteristics of  St.  Paul  (pp.  179-185). 

1.  What  was  the  personal  appearance  of  St.  Paul,  according  to  the 

testimony  of  tradition?  Does  the  New  Testament  say  anything 
about  his  personal  appearance? 

2.  What  was  Paul's  "thorn  in  the  flesh"?    How  did  he  turn  this  af- 

fliction into  a  blessing? 

3.  What  evidence  can  you  produce  to  show  that  Paul  was  a  man 

of  courage,  activity,  and  enthusiasm? 

4.  Was  Paul  a  happy  man?    What  was  the  secret  of  his  happiness? 

5.  What  was  the  secret  of  Paul's  influence  with  men? 

6.  What  proof  is  there  that  Paul  was  a  man  of  prayer? 

7.  Paul  was  a  man  whose  supreme  characteristic  was  personal  devo- 

tion to  Christ.     How  was  this  devotion  shown? 

8.  What  characteristic  of  St.  Paul's  has  most  impressed  you  during 

your  study  of  his  life?  Has  your  own  life  been  influenced  at 
all  by  that  of  the  great  apostle?  Have  you  resolved  that  you 
will  cultivate  some  of  those  qualities  that  made  him  a  great 
and  effective  Christian? 


1 1 /j  Studies  in  the  Life  of  St.  Paul         XXIV7 

Study  XXIV.— Paul's  ^rttnecs  to  tbc  Worm 
Seventh  Day:    Review  of  Study  XXIV 

To-day's  lesson  is  a  review  of  Study  XXIV,  St.  Paul's  Services 
to  the  World   (pp.  186-190). 

1.  In   what  part   of  the  ancient   world  did    Paul   preach?     Did   he 

fail  to  visit  any  important  divisions  of  the  Roman  Empire?     If 
so,  what  was  the  reason? 

2.  In   what  way   was   Paul   the   interpreter   of    Christianity    to   the 

world? 

3.  Why  was  Paul  compelled  to  combat  Judaism?  Was  he  successful? 

4.  What   did    Paul    do   to   organize   and     strengthen    the   Christian 

Church? 

5.  How  many  of  Paul's  Epistles  are  extant?    Why  do  these  Epistles 

constitute  one  of  the  great  legacies  of  the  Christian  world? 

6.  What  feature  of  Paul's  work  has  most  interested  you? 

7.  You  have  now  reached  the  end  of  these    Studies  in  the  Life  of 

St.    Paul.     You   have   been   in   daily    contact    for    twenty-four 

weeks  with  the  great  apostle  to  the  nations.     You  may  not  be 

a  great  missionary  like  Paul.     In  fact,  you  will  probably  not 

be  a  missionary  at  all  in  the  technical  sense  of  the  word,  but, 

like  Paul,  you  can  interpret  Christ  to  the  world  by  living  His 

teachings.    You  may  never  fight  an  opposing  sect  as  Paul  fought 

Judaism,  but  you  will  find  that  the  Church  has  foes  to-day  who 

are  just    as  untiring  and  determined  as  those  of  the  days  of 

the  apostle.     You  may  never  write  great  epistles  that  will  be 

precious  documents  of  the  Church,  but  you  can  be  a  "living 

epistle,"  as  says  St.  Paul,  "known  and  read  of  all  men."    And 

remember  always  that  Paul  was  a  great  Christian  because  he 

tried  to  live  as  Christ  lived.     Imitate  Christ,  not  Paul,  but  let 

Paul's  life  be  an  encouragement  to  you,  a  proof  of  what  man 

can  be  when  he  lives  the  life  of  Christ. 

Paul's  Doxology:    "Now  unto  Him  that  is  able  to  do  exceeding 

abundantly  above  all  that  we  ask  or  think,  according  to  the  power 

that   worketh   in  us,   unto  Him   be   glory   in   the  church   by  Jesus 

Christ  throughout  all  ages,  world  without  end.    Amen." — Ephesians 

3:20  and  21. 


BS2658.L43 

Studies  in  the  life  of  St.  Paul. 


Princeton  Theological  Seminary-Speer  Library 


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